17.11.2004   

EN

Official Journal of the European Union

C 280/29


Prior notification of a concentration

(Case COMP/M.3618 — BP/HDPE)

Candidate case for simplified procedure

(2004/C 280/08)

(Text with EEA relevance)

1.

On 5 November 2004, the Commission received a notification of a proposed concentration pursuant to Article 4 of Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (1) by which the undertaking BP p.l.c. (‘BP’, United Kingdom) acquires within the meaning of Article 3(1)(b) of the Council Regulation control of the whole of the undertaking BP Solvay Polyethylene (‘BP Solvay HDPE JV’) by way of purchase of shares.

2.

The business activities of the undertakings concerned are:

for BP: (i) the exploration and production of crude oil and natural gas, (ii) oil refining, marketing, supply and transportation, (iii) manufacturing and marketing of petrochemicals and related products, (iv) gas power and renewables,

for BP Solvay HDPE JV: the production and sale of HDPE resins.

3.

On preliminary examination, the Commission finds that the notified transaction could fall within the scope of Regulation (EC) No 139/2004. However, the final decision on this point is reserved. Pursuant to the Commission Notice on a simplified procedure for treatment of certain concentrations under Council Regulation (EC) No 139/2004 (2) it should be noted that this case is a candidate for treatment under the procedure set out in the Notice.

4.

The Commission invites interested third parties to submit their possible observations on the proposed operation to the Commission.

Observations must reach the Commission not later than 10 days following the date of this publication. Observations can be sent to the Commission by fax (No (32-2) 296 43 01 or 296 72 44) or by post, under reference number COMP/M.3618 — BP/HDPE, to the following address:

European Commission

Directorate-General for Competition,

Merger Registry

J-70

B-1049 Bruxelles/Brussel


(1)  OJ L 24, 29.1.2004, p. 1.

(2)  Available on DG COMP website:

http://europa.eu.int/comm/competition/mergers/legislation/consultation/simplified_tru.pdf.