Mobil Corporation and Exxon Corporation joined forces in late 1998 in an 85 billion-dollar merger that formed the world's largest publicly traded oil company. And Britain's BP Amoco also joined forces with US based Atlantic Richfield Company in March of 1999, which created the second largest non-government owned oil company. It is reported that San Francisco based Chevron has offered about 70-dollars a share for Phillips Petroleum. A combined company would be worth about 78 billion dollars. Since Chevron and Phillips' businesses have little overlap, the combination could be expected to pass regulatory muster because a merger wouldn't blend similar operations.
Regulators fear that kind of situation limits consumer choice and stifles competition.
Month Rachael Kvapil Fort Wainwright is out to show more colors than green fatigues. The local Army base plans to celebrate its diversity starting with a Hispanic Heritage month. Set aside as a time of reflection, officials seek to recognize the contribution of this ethnic group to the military. The observance officially starts Friday. Organizers are currently looking for help from the surrounding communities.