EU gives green light to acquire Plateau Holding and BV3

Vitol Holding BV, Helios Investments Partners LLP and Royal Dutch Shell PLC have been given the go ahead by the European Commission to acquire joint control of the Dutch-based companies Plateau Holding and BV3.  The merger will give Vitol control of Shell’s downstream oil and gas distribution in 14 African countries. These fourteen countries include: Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Senegal, Mali, Guinea, Cape Verde, Kenya, Uganda, Madagascar and Mauritius.  Shell’s lubricants production business and wholesale distribution will be acquired by Vitol, an independent commodities trader, Helios, a private investment firm, and Shell. (June 1, 2011)