The Federal Trade Commission maintains competition in the petroleum industry, and has invoked all the powers at its disposal – including the investigation of possible antitrust violations, the prosecution of cases, the preparation of studies, and advocacy before other government agencies – to protect consumers from anticompetitive conduct and unfair or deceptive acts or practices in the industry. In doing so, the FTC has assembled vast competition policy and enforcement expertise in matters affecting the production and distribution of gasoline.
This website describes the FTC’s oversight of the petroleum industry, with special sections on our activities related to merger enforcement, anticompetitive nonmerger activity, and gasoline price data. It also features reports and economic working papers, Congressional testimony, advocacy work, conference proceedings, and studies.
Petroleum Market Manipulation
- Chevron/Hess, In the Matter of ( )
- Exxon Mobil Corporation, In the Matter of ( )
- EnCap/EP Energy, In the Matter of ( )
- Fleetcor Technologies, In the Matter of ( )
- QEP Partners/EQT Corporation, In the Matter of ( )
- Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd., In the Matter of ( )
- F & G International Group Holdings, LLC ( )
- ARKO/GPM Investments, In the Matter of ( )
- Buckeye/Magellan, In the Matter of ( )
- Global Partners/Fuel Assets ( )
- Global Partners and Richard Wiehl, In the Matter of ( )
- DTE Energy Company, In the Matter of ( )
- Casey's General Stores, In the Matter of ( )
- Peabody Energy/Arch Coal, In the Matter of ( )
- Arko Holdings and Empire Petroleum Partners, In the Matter of ( )
- Tri Star Energy and Hollingsworth Oil, In the Matter of ( )
- Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc. and CrossAmerica Partners LP ( )
- Par Petroleum/Mid Pac Petroleum, In the Matter of ( )
- Marathon Petroleum, et al., In the Matter of ( )
- Alimentation Couche-Tard and CrossAmerica Partners, In the Matter of ( )
- FTC Issues Annual Report on Ethanol Market Concentration 2024 ( )
- FTC Order Bans Hess CEO from Chevron Board in Chevron-Hess Deal ( )
- FTC to Hold Oral Hearing on Dyson’s Comment to Proposed Changes to the Energy Labeling Rule for Air Cleaners ( )
- FTC Order Bans Former Pioneer CEO from Exxon Board Seat in Exxon-Pioneer Deal ( )
- FTC, DOJ Submit Joint Comment to FERC Warning of Common Ownership Competition Risks in the Public Utilities Industry ( )
- FTC Statement on Amendment to Global Partners, Gulf Oil Acquisition ( )
- Federal Trade Commission Extends Public Comment Period on Proposed Improvements to the Energy Labeling Rule ( )
- XCL Resources Seeks FTC’s Prior Approval for Altamont Energy Acquisition ( )
- Federal Trade Commission Seeks Public Comments on Improvements to the EnergyGuide Labeling Rule ( )
- FTC Sues 7-Eleven for Anticompetitive Acquisition in Violation of 2018 Consent Order ( )
- FTC Issues Annual Report on Ethanol Market Concentration 2023 ( )
- FTC Seeks Public Comments on Review of Labeling Requirements for the Alternative Fuels Rule ( )
- FTC Approves Final Order to Prevent Interlocking Directorate Arrangement, Anticompetitive Information Exchange in EQT, Quantum Energy Deal ( )
- FTC Acts to Prevent Interlocking Directorate Arrangement, Anticompetitive Information Exchange in EQT, Quantum Energy Deal ( )
- Federal Trade Commission Extends Public Comment Period on Initiative to Reduce Energy Costs and Strengthen Right-to-Repair ( )
- FTC Issues Annual Report on Ethanol Market Concentration 2022 ( )
- Federal Trade Commission Seeks Public Comment on Initiative to Reduce Energy Costs and Strengthen Right-to-Repair ( )
- FTC Approves Petition by Gilbarco, Inc. for Partial Exemption to the Agency’s Fuel Rating Rule ( )
- Federal Trade Commission Updates Labeling Rule Designed to Help Consumers Reduce Energy Costs ( )
- FTC Approves Final Order Requiring EnCap to Sell Off EP Energy Corp’s. Entire Utah Oil Business ( )
- Don’t waste your energy on a solar scam( )
- Button up your coating claims before making energy representations( )
- Milestones in FTC history: HSR Act launches effective premerger review( )
- FTC Milestones: Cold War chills report on International Petroleum Cartel( )
- FTC Milestones: Making the case for reform of public utility holding company laws( )
- Informal Hearing on the Proposed Amendments to the Energy Labeling RuleSeptember 19, 2024
- Something New Under the Sun: Competition & Consumer Protection Issues in Solar EnergyJune 21, 2016
- FTC Market Manipulation RulemakingNovember 6, 2008
- Eco in the Market: Carbon Offsets & Renewable Energy CertificatesJanuary 8, 2008
- Energy Markets in the 21st Century: Competition Policy in PerspectiveApril 10, 2007
- Oil Industry Merger EffectsJanuary 14, 2005
- Factors that Affect Prices of Refined Petroleum ProductsMay 8, 2002
- Factors that Affect Prices of Refined Petroleum ProductsAugust 2, 2001
- Workshop: Market Power and Consumer Protection Issues Involved with Encouraging Competition in the U.S. Electric IndustrySeptember 13, 1999
- Dissenting Statement of Commissioner Andrew N. Ferguson in the Matter of Chevron Corporation and Hess Corporation ( )
- Dissenting Statement of Commissioner Melissa Holyoak In the Matter of Chevron Corporation and Hess Corporation ( )
- Statement of Chair Lina M. Khan Joined by Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya in the Matter of Chevron Corporation and Hess Corporation ( )
- Joint Dissenting Statement of Commissioners Melissa Holyoak and Andrew N. Ferguson in the Matter of Exxon Mobil Corporation ( )
- Statement of Chair Lina M. Khan in the Matter of Exxon Mobil Corporation ( )
- Concurring Statement of Commissioner Alvaro M. Bedoya in the Matter of ExxonMobil Co./Pioneer Natural Resource Co. ( )
- Concurring Statement of Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter in the Matter of ExxonMobil Corp ( )
- Reply Comment of the U.S. Department of Justice Antitrust Division and the Federal Trade Commission ( )
- Statement of Chair Lina M. Khan, Joined by Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Commissioner Alvaro M. Bedoya, in the Matter of EQT Corporation ( )
- Statement of Commissioners Noah Joshua Phillips and Christine S. Wilson in the Matter of Buckeye Partners/Magellan Midstream Partners ( )
- Joint Concurring Statement of Commissioners Rohit Chopra and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter In the Matter of Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd. / Marathon Petroleum Corporation ( )
- Statement of Commissioners Noah Joshua Phillips and Christine S. Wilson In the Matter of Seven & i Holdings Co., Ltd. ( )
- Dissenting Statement of Commissioner Christine S. Wilson Regarding the Notice of Amendments to the Energy Labeling Rule ( )
- Statement of Commissioners Noah Joshua Phillips and Christine S. Wilson on the Closing of the 7-Eleven and Marathon Transaction ( )
- Statement of Acting Chairwoman Rebecca Kelly Slaughter and Commissioner Rohit Chopra on the Closing of the 7-Eleven and Marathon Transaction ( )
- Statement of Commissioner Christine S. Wilson on the Energy Labeling Rule ( )
- Comment of Commissioner Rebecca Kelly Slaughter on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s Notice of Proposed Rulemaking regarding sections 201 and 210 of the Public Utilities Regulatory Policy Act ( )
- Joint Statement of Commissioners Rohit Chopra and Rebecca Kelly Slaughter in the Matter of DTE Energy/Generation Pipeline ( )
- Concurring Statement of Commissioner Christine S. Wilson in the Matter of DTE Energy Co., Enbridge Inc., and NEXUS Gas Transmission LLC ( )
- Statement of the Federal Trade Commission, by Chairman Simons, Commissioner Ohlhausen, Commissioner Phillips and Commissioner Slaughter ( )
- 2024 Report on Ethanol Market Concentration ( )
- 2023 Report on Ethanol Market Concentration ( )
- 2022 Report on Ethanol Market Concentration ( )
- 2021 Report on Ethanol Market Concentration ( )
- 2020 Report on Ethanol Market Concentration ( )
- 2019 Report on Ethanol Market Concentration ( )
- Federal Trade Commission Report To Congress On Ethanol Market Concentration (November 2018) ( )
- Report To Congress On Ethanol Market Concentration (November 2017) ( )
- Report to Congress on Ethanol Market Concentration (November 2016) ( )
- Report to Congress on Ethanol Market Concentration (December 2015) ( )
- The Determinants of Plant Exit: The Evolution of the U.S. Refining Industry ( )
- Simulating a Homogeneous Product Merger: A Case Study on Model Fit and Performance ( )
- Report to Congress on Ethanol Market Concentration (December 2014) ( )
- Tax Pass-Through in Gasoline and Diesel Fuel: The 2003 Washington State Nickel Funding Package Increase ( )
- The Impact of Outages on Prices and Investment in the US Oil Refining Industry ( )
- Report of the Federal Trade Commission on Activities in the Oil and Natural Gas Industries ( )
- Report to Congress on Ethanol Market Concentration (November 2013) ( )
- Merger Policy at the Margin: Western Refining’s Acquisition of Giant Industries ( )
- Report of the Federal Trade Commission on Activities in the Oil and Natural Gas Industries ( )
- Report of the Federal Trade Commission on Activities in the Oil and Natural Gas Industries ( )
- Comment of United States Department of Justice and Federal Trade Commission to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission in Docket No. RM21-17-000 ( )
- FTC/DOJ Joint Comment to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Regarding Modifications to FERC Requirements for Review of Certain Transactions and Market-Based Rate Applications ( )
- FTC Staff Reply Comment Before the State of New York Public Service Commission in the Reforming the Energy Vision Proceeding, Concerning the NY PSC Staff White Paper on Ratemaking and Utility Business Models ( )
- FTC Staff Reply Comment Before the State of New York Public Service Commission in the Reforming the Energy Vision Proceeding, Responding To Third-Party Comments on the NY PSC Benefit-Cost Analysis ( )
- Federal Trade Commission Staff Reply Comment to the New York State Public Service Commission on “Reforming the Energy Vision” Project ( )
- FTC Staff Comment Before the Massachusetts Department of Public Utilities Regarding Its Investigation of Time-Varying Retail Rates for Electric Power ( )
- FTC Staff Reply Comment Before the District of Columbia Public Service Commission Concerning a Proposed Program for Dynamic (Variable) Pricing of Electricity for Residential Customers, Formal Case Nos. 1086 and 1109 ( )
- FTC Staff Comment Before the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission Concerning Analysis of Horizontal Market Power under the Federal Power Act (Docket No. RM11-14-000) ( )
- FTC Comment Before the Environmental Protection Agency Concerning Proposed Rulemaking on Confidentiality Determinations for Greenhouse Gas Data (Docket No. EPA-HQ-OAR-2009-0924) ( )
- FTC Staff Comment to the Honorable Raymond J. Lesniak, Senator, New Jersey State Senate, Concerning New Jersey State Bill 484 to Allow Gasoline Retailers to Set Prices Below Cost to Meet Competition ( )
- FTC Staff Comment to Councilmember Mary M. Cheh Concerning the District of Columbia Retail Station Act ( )
- FTC Staff Comment to the Hon. Christopher R. Stone Concerning Connecticut S.B. 1336 to Regulate Retail and Wholesale Petroleum Pricing ( )
- FTC Staff Comment to the Honorable Gene DeRossett Concerning Michigan H.B. 4757, the Petroleum Marketing Stabilization Act ( )
- FTC Staff Comment to the Honorable Les Donovan Concerning Kansas H.R. 2330 Prohibiting a Marketer or Retailer From Selling Motor Fuel Below Cost ( )
- FTC Staff Comment to the Honorable Demetrius C. Newton Concerning the Alabama Fuels Marketing Act ( )
- FTC Staff Comment to the Honorable Shirley Krug Concerning the Wisconsin Unfair Sales Act, as Applied to Gasoline Sales ( )
- FTC Staff Comment to the Honorable Eliot Spitzer Concerning the New York Motor Fuel Marketing Practices Act ( )
- FTC Staff Comment to the Honorable Roy Cooper and the Honorable Daniel Clodfelter Concerning North Carolina H.B. 1203 / S.B. 787 to Amend North Carolinas Motor Fuel Marketing Act ( )
- FTC Staff Comment to the Honorable George E. Pataki Concerning New York Bill Nos. S04522 and A06942 Regulating Gasoline Sales ( )
- FTC Staff Comment to the Honorable Robert F. McDonnell Concerning Virginia S.B. 458 to Prohibit the Below-Cost Retail Sale of Motor Fuel ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission On “Oversight of the Enforcement of the Antitrust Laws” ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission On "Oversight of the Enforcement of the Antitrust Laws" ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission On Petroleum Industry Consolidation ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission On Market Forces, Competitive Dynamics, and Gasoline Prices: FTC Initiatives To Protect Competitive Markets ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission On Investigation of Gasoline Price Manipulation and Post-Katrina Gasoline Price Increases ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission On Committee on the Judiciary, United States Senate ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission On Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, United States Senate ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission On Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, United States House of Representatives ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission On Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, United States Senate ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission On Committee on Energy and Commerce, United States House of Representatives ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission On Market Forces, Anticompetitive Activity, and Gasoline Prices ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission On Market Forces, Anticompetitive Activity, and Gasoline Prices ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission On Anticompetitive Activity and Gasoline Prices ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission On Gasoline Pricing ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission On West Coast Gasoline Industry ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission On Midwest Gasoline Prices ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission On Midwest Gasoline Prices ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission On Midwest Gasoline ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission On Midwest Gasoline ( )
- Prepared Statement of the Federal Trade Commission On Solutions to Competitive Problems in the Oil Industry ( )