Swiss-based commodities and energy trading house Mercuria Energy Group is moving closer to acquiring a refinery and hundreds of fuel retail stations in Argentina from struggling Brazilian biofuels producer Raízen, according to sources familiar with the talks. Two people with knowledge of the matter said negotiations have advanced significantly, with one noting the transaction could be finalized soon, although risks remain that the deal could still fall through. Another source said a signing may still be w ...

Core Viewpoint - The Australian fuel retail market is under increased regulatory scrutiny due to the ACCC's referral of Ampol Limited's acquisition of EG Australia for a Phase 2 merger review, raising concerns about potential competition reduction in petrol and diesel supply [1][2][3] Group 1: Regulatory Actions - The ACCC's Phase 2 review indicates a more detailed examination of the proposed merger under Australia's new mandatory merger control framework, which requires regulatory clearance for transactions that may pose competition risks [2][6] - The ACCC has identified significant overlap between Ampol and EG Australia in multiple local markets, particularly in major urban centers [3][4] Group 2: Competition Concerns - The regulator flagged over 100 locations where the merger could diminish competitive pressure, potentially impacting fuel prices and consumer choice in cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, and Canberra [4][5] - Ampol's proposed divestment of a limited number of retail fuel sites was deemed insufficient to address the identified competition concerns, leading to the escalation to Phase 2 [5] Group 3: Review Process - The Phase 2 review allows the ACCC to gather additional information from various market participants and involves a comprehensive analysis of market structure, pricing behavior, and barriers to entry, which may take several months [7] - Stakeholders have been invited to provide submissions as the ACCC investigates the potential impact of the Ampol and EG Australia merger [7] Group 4: Industry Implications - The outcome of the ACCC review could have broader implications for consolidation trends in the Australian fuel retail market, which has experienced increasing concentration over the past decade [8]

Group 1 - A local resident from Cumbria won a Toyota Yaris Cross Icon Hybrid valued at £26,495 in JET's nationwide promotion called the JET Journey Jackpot [1] - The promotion aimed to enhance customer engagement, increase foot traffic at forecourts, and strengthen JET's brand positioning across over 320 participating sites in the UK [3] - The winner, Kris, received the car at a celebratory event at JET Jubilee Garage, which has been family-run since 1935 and transitioned to JET in 2017 [4] Group 2 - The promotion generated nationwide excitement, with various in-store activities, including Halloween-themed promotions at JET Tickhill in Doncaster [5] - Customers entered the promotion by spending £10 or more on fuel and uploading their receipts online, running from October 20 to November 9, 2025 [6] - The campaign was supported by a multi-channel marketing strategy, including Video on Demand advertising, radio ads, social media, and on-site promotional materials [6] Group 3 - JET's brand manager highlighted the promotion's success in creating excitement and driving customer loyalty, emphasizing the positive impact on retailers [7] - The team at JET Jubilee Garage expressed satisfaction with the giveaway, noting the buzz it created and the value it brought to customers [7]

🇦🇪NEW: The UAE’s largest fuel retailer will begin accepting stablecoin payments across 980 stations across three countries. ...

Core Insights - Stonepeak and Energy Equation Partners have completed the acquisition of a 65% interest in JET Tankstellen Deutschland GmbH, a leading fuel retailer in Germany and Austria, from Phillips 66, valuing the business at approximately €2.5 billion [1][2]. Company Overview - Stonepeak is a prominent alternative investment firm with approximately $80 billion in assets under management, focusing on infrastructure and real assets [3]. - Energy Equation Partners specializes in investing in established companies within the energy sector, having deployed over $10 billion in equity capital across the energy value chain globally [4]. Strategic Implications - The acquisition is expected to enhance JET's position in the market, leveraging its extensive network of service stations and trusted brand to provide reliable service in Germany and Austria [2]. - The partnership aims to contribute to the energy transition by investing in established players in the energy sector [2].

A fuel retailer in Finland filed for corporate restructuring because US sanctions on Russia’s Lukoil left it unable to conduct business https://t.co/JcFmIIMKaL ...

Core Insights - JET is launching its 2025 advertising campaign titled 'JET Carousel' as part of its ongoing 'Keep on Moving' series, emphasizing community and human connection [1][4] - The campaign features a theatre-inspired rotating set designed by real set designers, highlighting JET's commitment to people and services [2] - The film showcases relatable human moments at JET forecourts, concluding with the tagline 'For every journey, there's a JET' [3] Campaign Details - The campaign will run for four weeks across various platforms, including Video on Demand (VOD) and social media channels such as Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, and YouTube [4] - Additional elements, including UK-wide radio ads with English and Scottish voice-overs, are planned for later in the year [4] - The campaign aims to celebrate the local communities and the everyday customers who frequent JET locations [4]

Core Points - North Atlantic France SAS has signed a share purchase agreement to acquire a majority stake in Esso Société Anonyme Française SA and 100% of ExxonMobil Chemical France SAS, marking a significant milestone in its expansion strategy in France [1][2] - The acquisition aims to enhance European energy security and support the energy transition, with a commitment to maintaining employment and existing benefits [2][7] - The final acquisition price will be determined before the transaction's completion, which is expected in Q4 2025 [7] Company Strategy - North Atlantic aims to establish a long-term presence in France, focusing on strengthening energy security and resilience while promoting lower-carbon solutions [2][3] - The company plans to consolidate the Gravenchon site and implement an ambitious development plan to serve the French energy and industrial sectors [3] - Following the acquisition, North Atlantic will file a mandatory tender offer for the remaining shares of Esso S.A.F. on the same financial terms as the controlling block acquisition [3] Financial Adjustments - The purchase price for the controlling block has been adjusted downward to account for certain social liabilities, but this will not affect the price offered to minority shareholders [5] - Adjustments to the acquisition price include cash distributions prior to completion, a ticking fee mechanism based on accrued interest, and changes in the euro value of Esso S.A.F.'s inventory [5][6] Shareholder Information - A Shareholders Meeting for Esso S.A.F. is scheduled for November 4, 2025, to discuss a proposed distribution of reserves amounting to €60.21 per share, with payment set for November 14, 2025 [4]

Core Viewpoint - Lidl has received approval from France's competition authority to acquire 19 Auchan Supermarché stores and associated service stations, with no conditions imposed on the deal [1][2]. Group 1: Acquisition Details - The acquisition includes 19 food retail stores and eight service stations linked to those stores [1]. - The formal notification of the acquisition was submitted to the Autorité de la Concurrence on August 20, 2025 [1]. Group 2: Regulatory Scrutiny - The Autorité de la Concurrence conducted a thorough investigation to ensure the acquisition would not harm local competition regarding pricing or consumer choice [2]. - The regulator concluded that the deal would not negatively impact the competitive environment [2]. Group 3: Market Impact - Lidl is expected to maintain modest market shares in the affected areas, allowing consumers to continue accessing a variety of competitive options [3]. - The acquisition is not anticipated to disrupt competition in the fuel retail sector [3]. Group 4: Technological Advancements - In July 2025, Lidl GB introduced a self-scanning feature in its Lidl Plus loyalty app to enhance the in-store shopping experience [3]. - A "friends and family trial" for the self-scanning feature began in September at four stores, with a broader rollout planned for 2026 [4].

Core Insights - Dover Fueling Solutions (DFS) has completed a certified integration between its Bulloch POS system and Intevacon Fleet Card Solutions, enhancing fleet card processing capabilities for retailers [1][2] Group 1: Integration Benefits - The integration provides Intevacon customers with a comprehensive software solution that combines POS, electronic payment systems, and pay-at-the-pump functionalities, streamlining operations and reducing the need for multiple systems [2][3] - The direct POS-to-host connection simplifies deployment by eliminating additional hardware requirements at merchant sites, ensuring a seamless experience for fleet card acceptance [3] Group 2: Key Features - Key features of the Intevacon fleet card integration include pay-at-the-pump, product restrictions by fuel grade, and real-time account and card management, enhancing operational efficiency [4] - The integration allows card issuers to access a broader network of fuel sites, providing more purchasing options beyond local coverage areas with guaranteed daily settlements [4] Group 3: Company Overview - Dover Fueling Solutions is a leading provider of advanced energy dispensing equipment and related technologies, serving fueling and convenience retail customers globally [5] - Dover Corporation, the parent company of DFS, generates over $7 billion in annual revenue and operates across five segments, showcasing a diversified manufacturing and solutions portfolio [6]