EU Clears Phillips Acquisition of Conoco
BRUSSELS -- Phillips Petroleum Co. won unqualified approval from the European Commission for its proposed $15.2 billion purchase of Conoco Inc.
"The operation will not produce anti-competitive effects in affected markets, in which the super-majors are leading participants," the Commission said in a statement.
In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission issued a "second request" last month seeking more information so it could do an in-depth investigation of the transaction.
Although the deal would create the world's number six publicly held company with a market value of more than $35 billion it will still be one quarter the size of Exxon Mobil Corp, Royal Dutch/Shell and BP Plc, according to Reuters.
The companies have said that the deal could lead to $750 million in annual cost savings and four percent annual growth in oil and gas production volumes.
"The operation will not produce anti-competitive effects in affected markets, in which the super-majors are leading participants," the Commission said in a statement.
In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission issued a "second request" last month seeking more information so it could do an in-depth investigation of the transaction.
Although the deal would create the world's number six publicly held company with a market value of more than $35 billion it will still be one quarter the size of Exxon Mobil Corp, Royal Dutch/Shell and BP Plc, according to Reuters.
The companies have said that the deal could lead to $750 million in annual cost savings and four percent annual growth in oil and gas production volumes.