UAE's ADNOC gets Saudi competition authority's nod to acquire 15 fuel stations

Logo of the General Authority for Competition

The General Authority for Competition issued today, May 5, 2021, the no-objection certificate for UAE’s ADNOC Distribution to acquire 15 fuel stations owned by Mazaya Fuel in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia. 

The competition authority conducted a detailed study for the fuel stations market in the Kingdom prior to issuing the decision. It ensured that the acquisition would not raise any concerns about fair competition in the fuel sector in the Saudi market, a source at the authority said.

The source also added that the competition authority is looking into several similar applications from other entities seeking the acquisition of fuel stations in the local market.

In December 2020, ADNOC Distribution, a subsidiary of the ADNOC Group, announced concluding a final agreement to acquire 15 service stations in Saudi Arabia, at a value of $10 million, Argaam reported.

In 2018, ADNOC Distribution opened its first fuel station in the Kingdom on Riyadh-Dammam Road, about 40 km away from the capital city. Shortly after that, it opened its second station in Al-Hafouf City, Al-Ahsa. Thus, the company's total number of fuel stations will rise to 17 upon completion of the acquisition.