Abstract:
In the summer of 1993, Australia's Trade Practices Commission was considering whether or not to permanently enjoin Santos Limited from acquiring SAGASCO Holdings Limited. This merger was potentially of enormous significance, since Santos was the largest and SAGASCO the third largest on-shore natural gas producer in Australia. SAGASCO, which was fighting the takeover, argued that the merger would significantly reduce competition in the natural gas market. Santos countered that the gas industry was highly concentrated already and had always been disciplined by competition from other fuels. This case is primarily intended to illustrate the analysis of the competitive effects of a merger, but it can also be used to discuss the relationship between competition policy and the regulation of natural monopolies.
Learning Objective:
This case is primarily intended to illustrate the analysis of the competitive effects of a merger, but it can also be used to discuss the relationship between competition policy and the regulation of natural monopolies.
