Announced Action for July 25, 2003

Commission approval of proposed divestiture: The Commission has approved an application for a proposed divestiture from Shell Oil Company (Shell Oil) and Pennzoil-Quaker State Company (Pennzoil). The application was submitted pursuant to the terms of the 2002 FTC decision and order relating to Shell Oil’s acquisition of Pennzoil. Through the application, which is available on the FTC’s Web site, the companies requested Commission approval of the proposed divestiture of the “Pennzoil Excel Paralubes Interest” (as that term is defined in the order) to Flint Hills Resources, LP, a wholly owned subsidiary of Koch Industries Inc. The Commission vote to approve the proposed divestiture was 5-0. (Docket No. C-4059; staff contact is Eric D. Rohlck, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2681; see press releases dated September 27, 2002 and May 23, 2003.)

Commission approval of final consent order: Following a public comment period, the Commission has approved the issuance of a final consent order in the matter concerning Southwest Physician Associates, et al., as well as a letter to the commenter of record. The Commission vote to approve the final consent order and letter was 5-0. (FTC File No. 011-0197; staff contacts are Barbara Anthony or Michael Bloom, FTC Northeast Region, 212-607-2829; see press release dated June 9, 2003.)

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, DC 20580. Call toll-free: 1-877-FTC-HELP.