Announced Actions for February 8, 2002

The Commission has approved an application from Chevron Corporation (Chevron) and Texaco Inc. (Texaco) to divest Texaco’s interests in Equilon Enterprises LLC and Motiva Enterprises LLC to Shell Oil Company and Saudi Refining, Inc. The divestiture is required by the FTC’s decision and order arising from Chevron’s acquisition of Texaco. Under the terms of the order, which is available on the FTC’s Web site, Chevron and Texaco (through a trustee) are required to divest Texaco’s interests in Equilon Enterprises LLC and Motiva Enterprises LLC. Through this approval, the trustee may now sell these interests to Shell Oil Company and Saudi Refining, Inc., as proposed.

The Commission vote to approve the application was 4-0, with Chairman Timothy J. Muris recused. (FTC File No. 011-0011; Docket No C-4023; staff contact is Daniel P. Ducore, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2526; see press releases dated September 7, 2001 and December 18, 2001; and January 4, 2002.)

Commission approval of modified Part II agreement and decision and order:

Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a modified Part II agreement and decision and order with Tru-Vantage International, LLC (TVI) – a producer of infomercials that allegedly contained unsubstantiated claims that a throat spray, Snorenz, reduces or eliminates snoring. The amendments to the agreement and decision and order, which are posted on the Commission’s Web site as a link to this press release, reflect minor changes made based on a comment from the Sleep Apnea Association. The amendments change the warning about sleep apnea that TVI will be required to include on labels or in advertisements for snoring remedies under the terms of the order. The Commission vote to approve the modified Part II agreement and decision and order was 5-0. (FTC File No. 002-3210; staff contact is Lemuel W. Dowdy, Bureau of Consumer Protection; 202-326-2981; see press release dated March 29, 2001.)

Commission approval of final consent orders:

Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a revised final decision and consent order in the matter concerning the merger of Nestle S.A. and Ralston Purina Co. The amendments to the decision and consent order, which are available on the Commission's Web site, affect only the distribution and notification provisions of the order. The vote to approve the amended final order was 4-0, with Chairman Timothy J. Muris recused, Commissioner Sheila Anthony issuing a separate statement, and Commissioners Orson Swindle and Mozelle Thompson issuing separate concurring statements. (FTC File No. 011-0083; staff contact is Phillip L. Broyles, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2805; see press release dated December 11, 2001.) 

Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved a final consent order in the matter concerning Diageo PLC and Vivendi Universal S.A. The vote to approve the final order was 5-0. (FTC File No. 011-0057; staff contact is Joseph S. Brownman, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2605; see press releases dated October 23 and December 19, 2001.)

Copies of the documents mentioned in this release are available from the FTC’s Web site at http://www.ftc.gov and also from the FTC’s Consumer Response Center, Room 130, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580. Call toll-free: 1-877-FTC-HELP.