FTC Approves Final Order Preserving Competition for Bulk Volumes of Hawaii-grade Gasoline Blendstock

Following a public comment period, the Federal Trade Commission has approved a final order settling charges that Par Petroleum Corporation’s $107 million acquisition of Koko’oha Investments, Inc.’s wholly-owned subsidiary Mid Pac Petroleum, LLC would likely be anticompetitive.

Under the order, first announced in March 2015, Par was required to terminate its storage and throughput rights at a key commercial gasoline terminal in Hawaii. As a result of the acquisition, Par would have gained Mid Pac’s rights to Aloha’s Barbers Point terminal, which it does not need for importation because it produces its own blendstock, but which it could exercise in a manner that impaired Aloha’s use of its terminal.   

The Commission vote approving the final order was 4-1, with Commissioner Joshua D. Wright voting no. (FTC File No. 141 0171; the staff contact is Anna Kertesz, Bureau of Competition, 202-326-2511)

The FTC’s Bureau of Competition works with the Bureau of Economics to investigate alleged anticompetitive business practices and, when appropriate, recommends that the Commission take law enforcement action. To inform the Bureau about particular business practices, call 202-326-3300, send an e-mail to antitrust{at}ftc{dot}gov, or write to the Office of Policy and Coordination, Bureau of Competition, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Ave., NW, Room CC-5422, Washington, DC 20580. To learn more about the Bureau of Competition, read Competition Counts. Like the FTC on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, and subscribe to press releases for the latest FTC news and resources.