Source: https://1pdf.net/monitoring-of-the-australian-petroleum-industry-summary-2013-isbn-_58708169e12e892978837069
Timestamp: 2020-04-02 11:41:47
Document Index: 430268917

Matched Legal Cases: ['art 1', 'art 1', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 2', 'art 3', 'art 3', 'art 4', 'art 4', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 5', 'art 6', 'art 6', 'art 6', 'art 7', 'art 7', 'art 8', 'art 8', 'art 9', 'art 9', 'art 9', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 10', 'art 9', 'art 11', 'art 11', 'art 12', 'art 12', 'art 13', 'art 13', 'art 14', 'art 15', 'art 16', 'art 14', 'art 15', 'art 16', 'art 17', 'art 17', 'art 17', 'art 18', 'art 18', 'art 18', 'art 19', 'art 19', 'art 20', 'art 20', 'art 20', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 21', 'art 22', 'art 22', 'art 22', 'art 23', 'art 23', 'art 23', 'art 24', 'art 24', 'art 24', 'art 10']

Monitoring of the Australian petroleum industry Summary 2013 ISBN ... | 1pdf.net
Monitoring of the Australian petroleum industry Summary 2013 ISBN ...
Jul 1, 2007 ... Retail net profits on petrol products (that is, on regular unleaded (RULP), premium unleaded (PULP) and ethanol blended petrol, (EBP) and ...
Monitoring of the Australian petroleum industry
ISBN 978 1 921973 90 1Australian Competition and Consumer Commission 23 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, 2601© Commonwealth of Australia 2013This work is copyright. In addition to any use permitted under the Copyright Act 1968, all material contained within this work is provided under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia licence, with the exception of:• the Commonwealth Coat of Arms • the ACCC and AER logos • any illustration, diagram, photograph or graphic over which the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission does not hold copyright, but which may be part of or contained within this publication.The details of the relevant licence conditions are available on the Creative Commons website, as is the full legal code for the CC BY 3.0 AU licence.Requests and inquiries concerning reproduction and rights should be addressed to the Director, Corporate Communications, ACCC, GPO Box 3131, Canberra ACT 2601, or [email protected] noticeThe information in this publication is for general guidance only. It does not constitute legal or other professional advice, and should not be relied on as a statement of the law in any jurisdiction. Because it is intended only as a general guide, it may contain generalisations. You should obtain professional advice if you have any specific concern.The ACCC has made every reasonable effort to provide current and accurate information, but it does not make any guarantees regarding the accuracy, currency or completeness of that information.Parties who wish to re-publish or otherwise use the information in this publication must check this information for currency and accuracy prior to publication. This should be done prior to each publication edition, as ACCC guidance and relevant transitional legislation frequently change. Any queries parties have should be addressed to the Director, Corporate Communications, ACCC, GPO Box 3131, Canberra ACT 2601, or [email protected] 12/13_767www.accc.gov.au
ACCC activities in Australian petroleum industry 2012–13
Role of ACCC Petrol prices in Australia are determined by the market and fluctuate depending on the prices that are set by individual retailers. The ACCC has no role in setting fuel prices. One of the areas of concern to consumers is the level of competition in local and national fuel markets. Where there is evidence of anti- competitive conduct, these issues are dealt with through enforcement of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (the Act). The ACCC is responsible for enforcing the Act across the Australian economy, including the fuel industry. The ACCC’s roles in relation to the fuel industry, apart from its monitoring role, include enforcement and compliance, mergers and acquisitions, authorisations and notifications, and administration of the Oilcode.
ACCC investigations In 2012–13 the ACCC considered three major fuel-related issues: • ACCC investigation into price information sharing arrangements in the retail sector The ACCC continued its investigation into whether retail petrol price information sharing arrangements breach the Act by substantially lessening price competition in petrol retailing to the detriment of consumers. • ACCC investigation into shopper-docket discounting schemes The ACCC continued its investigation into the implications of shopper docket discount fuel offers by the major supermarkets which has raised concerns that the offers may substantially lessen competition in petrol retailing. • ACCC review of sale of BP retail sites in South Australia to Peregrine Corporation In May 2013, Peregrine Corporation (which operates under the trading name of On The Run) advised the ACCC that it intended to acquire 25 of BP’s retail petrol sites in South Australia.
2012–13 Monitoring—retail petrol price volatility Retail petrol prices continued to be a source of concern to Australian motorists during 2012–13. On average, however, price levels and volatility were comparable to 2011–12. There are three main factors that affect the level and volatility of petrol prices at the pump: • International factors—In the medium to long term, retail petrol prices are primarily driven by the level of and changes in international prices of refined petrol. Because international prices are denominated in US dollars, changes in the exchange rate between the Australian dollar and US dollar also affect prices. • Excise and GST contributed 51 cents per litre, or around 36 per cent of average retail prices, in 2012–13. • Price cycles—In the short term, the variability of prices associated with petrol price cycles in the large capital cities is an outcome of the profit-maximising pricing policies of the major retailers. In assessing petrol price movements, the ACCC’s monitoring activities during 2012–13 encompassed: • monitoring retail prices in capital cities against the relevant international benchmark prices, • monitoring retail prices in around 180 regional locations, and • reporting on industry profits based on cost and revenue data provided by monitored companies.
Australian retail petrol prices in 2012−13 were broadly comparable with 2011–12 In 2012–13 petrol prices were in line with previous year Average annual retail petrol prices in 2012−13 were slightly lower than average annual prices seen in 2011–12 but otherwise broadly in line with prices in the previous 12 months. • the annual average retail price of regular unleaded petrol (RULP) in the five largest capital cities was 141.3 cents per litre (cpl), compared with 142.8 cpl in 2011–12 • price volatility in 2012−13 was similar to 2011−12—the range between the highest and lowest seven-day rolling average prices in 2012−13 was 23 cpl, compared with 22 cpl in 2011−12.
In the long run international market prices and domestic fuel taxes largely determine Australian petrol prices Australian retail petrol prices largely reflect international factors and domestic taxes Of the average annual price for the five largest capital cities in 2012−13 of 141.3 cpl: • the international market price of refined petrol contributed 74.2 cpl (53 per cent) • government taxes contributed 51.0 cpl (36 per cent). Government taxes consist of excise (fixed at 38.14 cpl) and GST (equivalent to 1/11 of the final retail price). In 2012−13 average annual international prices of crude oil and refined petrol were among the highest on record, in both nominal and real terms. Because international prices are expressed in USD, changes in the AUD–USD exchange rate also affect domestic retail prices.
Short run price volatility exacerbated by retail petrol price cycles Price cycles are still evident in Australia’s largest cities Petrol price cycles are still evident in many retail markets, particularly in the larger capital cities. Petrol price cycles are not caused by changes in international benchmark prices or other costs. Rather, price cycles are an outcome of petrol retailers’ profit maximising pricing policies. Consumers’ concerns with petrol price cycles are due to the large price increases that occur in a single day, and across most retail sites, on a regular basis. The duration of price cycles in the eastern capital cities has increased from the regular weekly cycle seen several years ago. In 2013, the average length of petrol price cycles has increased to between 13 and 19 days on average. The lengthening and increasing variability of price cycles has made them less predictable and more difficult for consumers to take advantage of low points in the cycle.
ACCC investigation into price information sharing The ACCC is progressing its investigation of the price information sharing arrangements in the retail sector The ACCC’s investigation into whether price information sharing arrangements in relation to the retail petrol sector may be in breach of the Act is nearing completion and it is anticipated it will be finalised in the coming months. These arrangements allow for the private and very frequent exchange of comprehensive retail price information between the major petrol retailers. The ACCC is concerned that these arrangements may lessen price competition in petrol retailing to the detriment of consumers by reducing independent rivalry between the major petrol retailers in their setting of prices. The ACCC has concluded its investigation of shopper docket discounting schemes in the retail sector
ACCC investigation into shopper-docket discounting schemes The ACCC has concluded its investigation of shopper docket discounting schemes in the retail sector The ACCC’s investigation into the competition implications of shopper docket discount fuel offers by the major supermarkets was completed in December 2013. This investigation, which had been on-going since early 2012, has raised competition concerns in relation to shopper docket fuel discount schemes, given the extended frequency, duration and size of shopper docket fuel discounts offered by the major supermarket chains. The investigation resulted in undertakings being given to the ACCC by both Coles Group Limited and Woolworths Limited that they would limit their shopper docket discounts.
Sale of BP retail sites to Peregrine The ACCC is reviewing the proposed sale of BP’s retail sites in SA to On The Run In May 2013, Peregrine Corporation (which operates under the trading name of On The Run) advised the ACCC that it intended to acquire 25 of BP’s company owned and operated retail petrol sites in South Australia, comprising all 16 of BP’s sites in Adelaide and nine sites in regional South Australia. Peregrine has acquired the nine regional sites from BP which were not subject to the clearance application. The ACCC is continuing to investigate whether the acquisition would be likely to have the effect of substantially lessening competition in the retail sale of fuel in Adelaide and South Australia.
Australian post-tax retail prices are low by international standards Due to lower fuel taxes in Australia relative to other countries, Australian petrol prices are among the lowest in the OECD Crude oil and refined petrol are both internationally traded commodities and their prices form the basis for the setting of retail prices in most countries. Relatively low levels of taxation on petrol in Australia have resulted in Australian petrol prices being among the lowest in the OECD.[1]
Key international factors Imported fuel provides the marginal source of petrol supplies in Australia. As such, the international benchmark price of imports forms the basis for retail prices in Australia. The price of Singapore Mogas 95 Unleaded (Mogas 95) is the most appropriate benchmark price for refined regular unleaded petrol sold to Australian motorists. Over time, Australian retail petrol prices have tracked the price of Mogas 95 closely. Between 2002–03 and 2012−13, average annual retail prices of regular unleaded petrol (excluding taxes and subsidies) at Australia’s five largest capital cities have risen 113 per cent while the annual average price of Mogas 95 has risen 121 per cent (both in nominal terms). The price of Mogas 95 is also linked to the price of crude oil as it is the major input into the production of refined petrol. Crude oil is an internationally traded commodity and its price is also determined by global demand and supply factors. Through the effect crude oil has on international benchmark prices of refined petrol, it is also a key driver of the retail price of petrol in the long run. Australian refineries generally pay a price for crude oil that is based on the price of Brent crude oil (a heavily traded crude oil marker) or Tapis crude oil (the crude oil marker that has typically been used in the Asia- Pacific region).
International crude oil prices Volatility again characterised crude oil prices in 2012–13 International crude oil prices were volatile during 2012−13, generally moving in phases corresponding with changes in sentiment regarding global economic conditions and other geo‑political factors. In particular: • geo-political concerns in the Middle East, particularly regarding Syria • supply disruptions in the North Sea • changing sentiment about economic recovery in the US • changes in regional crude stockpile and seasonal demand. Average crude oil prices in 2012–13 were among the highest ever Crude oil prices during 2012−13 remained at historically high levels. Average annual crude oil prices in 2012−13 were among the highest on record. Increasing reliance on crude oil produced from unconventional and more costly sources, including shale oil and tar sand deposits is likely to keep crude oil prices relatively high in the future as lower‑cost traditional oil fields continue to be depleted. Crude oil prices could potentially increase as the world economy recovers.
Profits Profits in the downstream industry were higher in 2012–13 The retail sector earned net profits of $534.9 million across all products and services in 2012−13, an increase of 18.9 per cent in real terms from 2011–12.
Retail profits[2] Total profits in the retail sector have been on an upward trend since 2002–03, the first year for which the ACCC has collected data. This trend has been particularly strong since 2008−09, with total net profits increasing by around 114 per cent in real terms in the five years to 2012−13.
Petrol products Retail net profits on petrol products (that is, on regular unleaded (RULP), premium unleaded (PULP) and ethanol blended petrol, (EBP) and excluding convenience store sales) were $297.5 million in 2012−13, 21.8 per cent higher in real terms compared with 2011–12. In the last five years, petrol products’ net profits have increased more than three-fold in real terms. Since 2008–09, unit net profits on petrol products in the retail sector have increased more than four-fold from 0.52 cpl to 2.36 cpl in 2012−13. In terms of cents per litre of fuel sold, unit net profits on both PULP and RULP products have risen markedly in the last six years. In 2012−13 PULP products were a significant contributor to retail profits, earning similar total profits as RULP products on considerably smaller volumes. In 2012−13 unit net profits on PULP products in the retail sector were 3.69 cpl compared with 1.77 cpl for RULP products. Since 2007–08, unit net profits on PULP products in the retail sector have increased more than ten-fold compared with a three-fold increase in RULP unit net profits. It is likely that the New South Wales (NSW) Government mandate on ethanol may be one of the factors promoting greater demand for and higher profits on PULP products. The NSW mandate, which requires a minimum of 6 per cent of total fuel sale volumes to be ethanol, may have contributed to an increase in demand for PULP by reducing supply of RULP in that state.
Convenience store sales Petrol retailers earned net profits of $205 million from convenience store sales in 2012−13, an increase of 17.1 per cent in real terms from the previous year. In the last seven years, convenience store sales have contributed on average around 39 per cent of total retail profits. Net profits on convenience store sales have increased consistently since 2006–07. In the last seven years convenience store profits have risen more than 140 per cent in real terms.
Total downstream industry profits In 2012−13 the broader downstream petroleum industry also recorded higher net profits than in 2011–12. Net profits for all products in the downstream petroleum industry were around $775 million (or 0.86 cpl), compared with a net profit in real terms of $417 million (or 0.47 cpl) in 2011–12. The increase in profits in 2012−13 was due to smaller losses in refining and total supply and, as noted, strong growth in retail profits. Net profits for petrol products across the entire downstream industry were $1010 million, or 2.72 cpl. This compares with a real loss of $9.7 million or –0.03 cpl in the previous year.
Refinery and total supply sector profits The refinery and total supply sectors made a net loss of $106.8 million and $623 million respectively, compared with net losses in 2011–12 in real terms of $609 million and $1.1 billion, respectively. Gains in valuations of inventory holdings are likely to have contributed to improved outcomes in these sectors in 2012−13. The performances of the refinery and total supply sectors in 2012−13 continued the recent trend of low and variable profits in these sectors. Since 2008–09 the refinery sector has recorded average annual net losses of $153 million in real terms compared with average annual net profits in real terms of $1.3 billion from 2002–03 to 2007–08. The financial performance of the refinery and total supply sectors is influenced by the variability of international prices of crude oil and refined petrol and, increasingly, by competition from more efficient overseas refineries.
Wholesale sector profits The wholesale sector earned total net profits of $863 million across all products, down 22.2 per cent in real terms on the previous year.
Domestic refining Australian refineries face a challenging future The Australian refinery sector is facing a challenging future due to competitive pressure from large, low-cost Asian mega refineries. With imports providing the marginal source of supply, prices in Australia are set with reference to import parity. As such, Australian refiners (and suppliers) have little scope to pass on costs that are out of line with international best practice. The emergence of more efficient and low-cost refineries in Asia able to produce Australian standard fuel potentially available to independent importers, limits domestic refineries’ discretion over prices they charge to wholesalers. The impact of competitive pressures from the availability of supplies from overseas refineries is evident from the recent closure of the Shell Clyde refinery, the announced closure of the Caltex Kurnell refinery and the announced sale of the Shell refinery in Geelong.
Independent imports Independent wholesalers/importers continue to provide an alternative source of fuel Imports by independent wholesalers continued to grow in 2012−13. Since 2007–08 independent imports have increased more than fivefold accounting for about 26 per cent of total imports in 2012−13, compared with 5 per cent in 2007–08. The growth in independent imports has been encouraged by greater access to import terminals and continues to be underpinned by the ability to source fuel refined to Australian standards from overseas refineries. Independent wholesalers/importers have now established a viable presence in the downstream petroleum industry. Their potential for further expansion continues to provide credible competitive discipline on the larger petrol companies. The ability of independent importers to source fuel from more efficient overseas refineries constrains local refiners to charge prices consistent with import parity prices. During 2012−13, there were a number of developments in the structure of the wholesale sector, including two new entrants: • Puma Energy acquired the businesses and distribution networks of Central Combined Group, Ausfuel and Neumann Petroleum • Idemitsu Kosan acquired the business and distribution network of Freedom Fuels.
Regional prices Competition issues and structural factors largely account for higher prices in regional areas Motorists are concerned with retail prices in regional locations, which tend to be higher and less variable than prices in capital cities. ACCC analysis of fuel prices in regional locations throughout Australia indicates that higher prices in regional areas are due to: • the limited number of retail sites operating in a particular regional market—a lower number of retail sites may mean a lower level of local competition • lower volumes of fuel sold (hence higher average costs) • distance/location factors increasing costs • lower convenience store sales (thus the need for greater margins on fuel). The ACCC will investigate and take action through the courts where appropriate if there is evidence of anti-competitive behaviour in regional markets Also, in many regional locations there is a lag behind movements in prices in capital cities. This lag occurs because the turnover of petrol supplies in regional areas is generally lower than in capital cities. The ACCC understands the concerns of motorists in regional locations and actively monitors petrol prices in around 180 locations throughout Australia and also analyses competition issues in those locations. The ACCC takes allegations of anti-competitive conduct seriously and it will not hesitate to take action to enforce the Act if there is evidence that a breach of the Act is likely to have occurred. Changes in ownership of retail sites in regional locations can be scrutinised where there is evidence that the sale may result in a substantial lessening of competition in that market. The ACCC welcomes any information or evidence that local businesses or the public have in relation to potential regional retail ownership changes that may result in increased concentration.
Ethanol—NSW mandate has affected fuel markets Ethanol mandate has reduced consumer choice in NSW Since its introduction in October 2007 the NSW mandate has had a significant impact on competition and consumers: • the competitive dynamic among retailers has been affected by the reduced availability of RULP. • some motorists face reduced choice as those who cannot use EBP in their vehicles (or choose not to) have decided to use PULP because of the reduced availability of RULP. • higher prices for motorists who have decided to use the more expensive PULP in response to reduced availability of RULP. Summary
This is the sixth annual monitoring report by the ACCC into the prices, costs and profits of the Australian downstream petroleum industry. The following summary focuses on the major findings and issues that arose from the ACCC’s monitoring role and other activities undertaken in the petrol industry during 2012−13. More comprehensive analysis of each of the topics covered in this summary can be found in the relevant chapters of this report.
The ACCC and the petrol industry Petrol prices in Australia are determined by the market and fluctuate depending on the prices that are set by individual retailers. The ACCC has no role in setting fuel prices. Retail petrol prices are a function of international prices, government taxes and costs and margins associated with refining/importing, storing, distributing and selling petrol to Australian motorists. Through its monitoring reports, the ACCC enhances transparency of industry outcomes and raises public awareness of the factors that drive retail petrol prices. However, through two important investigations during 2012−13, the ACCC has acted on matters with potential implications for retail petrol prices and businesses involved in the retail petrol sector.
ACCC action in retail petrol sector Investigation into price information sharing arrangements in the petrol industry Petrol price sharing arrangements allow for the private and very frequent exchange of comprehensive price information between the major petrol retailers. The ACCC has been concerned for some time about the presence of price information sharing arrangements in relation to the retail petrol sector and their potential impact on competition. In particular, the ACCC is concerned that such arrangements may lessen price competition in petrol retailing to the detriment of consumers by reducing independent rivalry between the major petrol retailers in their setting of prices. As such, in 2012 the ACCC announced an investigation into the competition effects of price information sharing arrangements in relation to the retail petrol sector. The ACCC investigation is nearing completion and it is anticipated it will be finalised in the coming months. Investigation into shopper docket discounting schemes Coles and Woolworths, the two major Australian supermarket chains, have operated shopper docket discounting schemes involving petrol for a number of years. In the past, other retailers such as BP, Caltex, United and other independent retailers have also conducted their own shopper docket discounting schemes. Coles and Woolworths offer four cents per litre (cpl) discounts on petrol purchases when a minimum amount is spent on purchases at their supermarkets, typically $30. At various times over the years, the supermarkets have been offering discounts greater than four cpl. The ACCC has expressed significant and further concern about escalating shopper docket discounts which in some cases are reaching 45 cpl. While the ACCC supports initiatives that aim to provide benefits to consumers, it is necessary to assess such schemes to consider their effect on competition and prices. Consequently, in 2012 the ACCC commenced an investigation into the effects of shopper docket discounting schemes on competition and consumer welfare. The ACCC’s investigation has raised competition concerns in relation to shopper docket fuel schemes, given the size, frequency and duration of the discounts offered by the major supermarket chains. The ACCC was concerned that offers by Coles or Woolworths of 8 cent per litre fuel discounts could have longer term effects on the structure of retail fuel markets and also were having short term effects of increasing the general pump prices in those markets. The ACCC’s investigation was finalised in December 2013 following the ACCC’s acceptance of undertakings under section 87B of the Act from Coles Group Limited, Coles Supermarkets Australia Pty Limited, Eureka Operations Pty Ltd (Coles), and Woolworths Limited (Woolworths). The key aspects of the undertakings include: • Coles and Woolworths may continue to offer fuel saving offers to their supermarket customers, but any discounts on fuel offered to supermarket customers from 1 January 2014 are not to exceed 4 cents per litre • at their service stations, Coles and Woolworths may still offer discounts on fuel (including discounts in excess of 4 cents per litre), but from 1 January 2014, all fuel discounts (including those offered by the supermarkets) must be funded from within their fuel retailing operations (including associated convenience stores and other activities at their service stations).
Monitoring 2012−13: international factors and domestic retail price cycles drive price volatility The ACCC’s monitoring of the downstream petroleum industry during 2012−13 has shown that retail petrol prices continued to be characterised by volatility in the last 12 months. There are two main factors that contribute to the volatility of petrol prices at the pump: international prices and, in most capital cities, petrol price cycles: • In the medium to long term, retail petrol prices are primarily driven by the level of, and changes in, international prices of refined petrol. Because international benchmark prices are denominated in US dollars (USD), changes in the exchange rate between the Australian dollar (AUD) and the US dollar also affect prices. • In the short term, the variability of prices in the large capital cities is mostly associated with retail petrol price cycles, which are the result of profit-maximising pricing policies of the major retailers. In 2012−13 petrol prices were comparable with 2011–12 In 2012−13, annual average retail prices of regular unleaded petrol (RULP) in real terms remained among the highest seen in Australia in recent years and slightly lower than the annual average retail price for 2011–12 (chart 1).
Chart 1 Annual average RULP prices, in real terms: 1999–2000 to 2012−13
[pic] Sources: ACCC calculations based on Informed Sources, Platts and RBA data; Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 6401.0 Consumer Price Index, Australia, Table 1. CPI: All Groups, Index Numbers and Percentage Changes. Note: Real values in 2012−13 dollars. In other respects, retail petrol prices in 2012−13 were also broadly comparable to prices in 2011–12, with prices remaining within a similar range in both years: • the annual average nominal retail price of RULP in the five largest capital cities in 2012−13 was 141.3 cpl, down 1.5 cpl on 142.8 cpl for 2011–12 • price volatility in 2012−13 was similar to 2011−12—the range between the highest and lowest seven-day rolling average prices in 2012−13 was 23 cpl, compared with 22 cpl in 2011–12. In the long run movements in Australian retail petrol prices follow movements in international benchmark prices The main influence on retail prices continued to be the international price of refined petrol. Chart 2 displays average daily retail prices in real terms in the five largest cities[3] and the real price of the international refined petrol benchmark Singapore Mogas 95 Unleaded (Mogas 95) since July 2007 and clearly shows that retail prices have closely followed movements in Mogas 95 prices.
Chart 2 Daily retail RULP prices, adjusted retail RULP prices and Mogas 95 prices in real terms: 1 July 2007 to 30 September 2013
[pic] Sources: ACCC calculations based on Informed Sources, Platts and RBA data; Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), 6401.0 Consumer Price Index, Australia, Table 1. CPI: All Groups, Index Numbers and Percentage Changes. Note: Mogas 95 prices are lagged by 10 days as there is generally around a one to two-week lag between changes in international prices and changes in retail prices in the five largest cities. This is because of the averaging formula used by refiners in Australia when setting their wholesale prices and the lag between changes in wholesale prices and retail prices. Real values in June 2013 dollars. Chart 2 shows not only that retail prices are strongly influenced by the level of and changes in international prices but also that government taxes represent a significant proportion of final retail prices. Refined petrol is an internationally traded commodity whose price is established by global supply and demand factors. The international benchmark that is used as the basis for setting petrol prices varies across countries depending on their proximity to the world’s major trading regions. The Singapore Mogas 95 Unleaded[4] price is the relevant international benchmark used for domestic pricing of RULP products in Australia. Singapore benchmark prices are used for pricing Australia’s unleaded petrol due to Singapore being one of the world’s most important trading and refining centres and because of its proximity to Australia.[5] The international price of refined petrol and government taxes are the largest component of Australian retail petrol prices The significance of international benchmark prices and government taxes on domestic prices is further evident in Chart 3 which shows that Mogas 95 is the largest component of the average final retail price paid by motorists during 2012−13. Mogas 95 accounts for around 53 per cent of the average annual retail price of petrol. Excise and taxes comprise around 36 per cent of the final retail price.
Chart 3 Total downstream components of the average annual retail RULP price of 141.3 cents per litre: five largest cities, 2012−13 (components are to scale)
[pic] Sources: ACCC calculations based on Informed Sources, Platts and RBA and WA FuelWatch data, and information provided by monitored companies. Note: Costs and margins for RULP include a net profit of 0.73 cpl across all sectors of the downstream petroleum industry. Costs and margins include components for the quality premium, freight, wharfage and other wholesale/retail costs and margins. Short run price variability in large capital cities due to petrol price cycles In the short term, petrol price cycles are a major source of price volatility in retail markets in the larger cities. Retail petrol price cycles have continued to occur in a number of Australian cities in 2012 and 2013.[6] Many Australian motorists are often concerned with petrol price cycles, particularly at the high point of a cycle or when jumps of 20 cpl across most, if not all, outlets may occur. Petrol price cycles do not occur in response to changes in international benchmark prices or other cost considerations. Rather, price cycles are the results of the profit-maximising pricing policies of petrol retailers. The duration of price cycles over the past few years has tended to increase from the regular weekly cycles seen in most capital cities several years ago. In contrast, Perth has a regular seven-day cycle. In 2012, the average length of price cycles in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Adelaide increased from around seven days to around 14 days. During 2013, the average length of price cycles has increased to between 13 days in Adelaide and 19 days in Sydney and Brisbane. Although quite a number of consumers have traditionally taken advantage of the low point of a price cycle, the increasing length and variability of the cycle in Adelaide, Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane has meant that consumers find it difficult to determine the days which have the lowest prices in a cycle. However, consumers in Perth continue to have some certainty on when the cheapest day of the cycle occurs. For the past two years, the cheapest day in Perth has been on a Wednesday. Western Australia is the only state or territory to have fuel price regulations that require retail sites to keep their prices constant over a 24-hour period. Further, there is a requirement that the price of each retail site be publicly available on the FuelWatch website. Chart 4 shows daily average petrol prices over a four week period during June 2013 and illustrates the price cycles that occurred during this period.
Chart 4 Daily average RULP prices in the five largest cities: 1 June 2013 to 30 June 2013
[pic] Source: ACCC, based on Informed Sources data. The general pricing behaviour in the retail sector is that one or two of the major retailers will substantially raise prices at several retail sites and wait for the market to respond. If other retailers respond to this move with similar increases, then the increased price spreads across the retail network. However, occasionally competitors do not respond to the price increase, or delay in responding, and retail prices remain low for a longer period of time. Australian taxes are lower than most other countries so Australian petrol prices are among the lowest in the OECD Australian retail petrol prices have remained relatively low when compared with other countries in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Chart 5 provides a list of the OECD countries and their price of petrol per litre in the June quarter 2013. Chart 5 shows that the Australian price per litre for petrol in the June quarter 2013 was the fourth lowest of any OECD country. Australia has had the fourth lowest prices among OECD countries in each year since 2007–08. The main determinant of lower retail petrol prices in Australia is Australia’s relatively lower rate of taxation on fuel. In the June 2013 quarter, tax represented around 36 per cent of the retail price of petrol in Australia, compared with an OECD average of around 49 per cent. Tax as a percentage of the retail petrol price in OECD countries ranged from a high of around 59 per cent in the UK, Norway and the Netherlands to a low of around 14 per cent in the US and Mexico. When retail prices are assessed without the tax component, Australia ranks around the median of OECD countries (the red line in chart 5).
Chart 5 Petrol prices and taxes in OECD countries: Australian cents per litre, June quarter 2013
[pic] Source: Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics, Australian Petroleum Statistics, Issue no 205, August 2013. Note: The average petrol price less tax in OECD countries was 92.1 cpl in the June quarter 2013. Care must be taken when making international comparisons as fuel quality standards (for example, octane rating and the content of MTBE and sulphur) for the most commonly used form of petrol in each market differ between countries. Impact of international factors
The impact of AUD–USD exchange rate on retail petrol prices International benchmark prices of refined petrol are denominated in USD. This means that the exchange rate of the local currency to the USD impacts on domestic retail prices. The strength of the AUD–USD exchange rate during most of the period during which the ACCC has monitored the petrol industry (July 2007 to July 2013) has meant lower retail prices in Australia than would otherwise have been the case. As the Australian dollar was relatively strong throughout most of 2012−13, Australian motorists were somewhat protected from potentially higher petrol prices. However, since early May 2013, the AUD–USD exchange rate dropped below parity and reached a low of around USD 0.89 at the beginning of August 2013. Since then, the AUD–USD exchange rate increased by around USD 0.06 to around USD 0.95 in mid-September 2013, before ending the month at around USD 0.93. The decrease in the value of the Australian dollar from early May 2013 by around 16 per cent meant that retail petrol prices in the September quarter 2013 were around 12 cpl higher than they otherwise would have been. Chart 6 displays the impact of the AUD–USD exchange rate on nominal retail petrol prices from July 2007 to September 2013; • The red line shows actual seven-day rolling average retail prices across the five largest cities. • The upper line displays what retail prices would have been if the AUD–USD exchange rate was held constant at the lowest daily exchange rate over this period, which was around USD 0.61. • The lower line shows what retail prices would have been if the AUD–USD exchange rate was held constant at the highest daily exchange rate over this period, at around USD 1.11. It can be seen from chart 6 that during 2012−13: • retail petrol prices were at their highest at the end of February 2013 and were around 151 cpl. The AUD–USD exchange rate was around USD 1.03 at this time. If the exchange rate had been at its six-year minimum level at this time (USD 0.61), retail prices would have been around 213 cpl (or 62 cpl higher). • retail petrol prices were at their lowest in early July 2012 at around 128 cpl. The AUD–USD exchange rate was around USD 1.02 at this time. If the exchange rate had been at its six-year maximum level at this time (USD 1.11), retail prices would have been around 122 cpl (or 6 cpl lower). • a strong AUD–USD exchange rate for most of 2012−13 protected consumers to a substantial degree from very high international refined petrol prices.
Chart 6 Seven-day rolling average retail RULP prices in the five largest cities—based on actual, minimum and maximum AUD–USD exchange rates—nominal: 1 July 2007 to 30 September 2013
[pic] Sources: ACCC calculations based on Informed Sources, Platts and RBA data.
Australian retail petrol prices are also affected by world crude oil prices Crude oil is the major input into the production of refined petrol and accounts for a significant proportion of total refinery costs. As such, world crude oil prices are a major influence on international benchmark prices of refined petrol and in turn on domestic retail prices. There are a number of international benchmark prices of crude oil, known as crude oil markers, which are used for pricing purposes in the refined petrol markets. The two crude oil markers generally used in Australia are: • Tapis crude oil, which is a common crude oil marker used in this region and is a Malaysian light sweet crude oil. • Brent crude oil, which is a light sweet crude oil from the North Sea and is probably the most widely used crude oil marker on global markets. Chart 7 shows that in the long run there are strong linkages between the prices of the Tapis and Brent crude oil markers and the price of the international refined petrol benchmark Mogas 95.
Chart 7 Weekly average prices of Mogas 95 and Brent and Tapis crude oil, in real terms: 1 July 1993 to 30 June 2013
[pic] Sources: ACCC calculations based on Platts data; U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer price index for all urban consumers, http://www.dlt.ri.gov/lmi/pdf/cpi.pdf, accessed 31 October 2013. Note: Real values in 2012−13 dollars As is the case with refined petrol, crude oil is an internationally traded commodity with its own supply and demand characteristics. As such it is possible that from time to time movements of crude oil and refined petrol prices may not precisely mirror each other. Factors that impact on crude oil markets include the levels and sudden changes of economic growth, regional conflicts, levels of inventories, extreme climatic conditions and general confidence levels. Chart 8 shows that from mid-May to August 2013 there was a divergence in general trends of crude oil and refined petrol prices.
Chart 8 Weekly average prices of Mogas 95 and Brent and Tapis crude oil: 1 July 2011 to 9 August 2013
[pic] Source: ACCC calculations based on Platts data.
International prices high and volatile despite weak global economic conditions Crude oil prices have demonstrated significant volatility in recent years, and in 2012−13 prices continued to fluctuate at comparatively high levels. Despite weakness in the global economy, average annual prices were among the highest on record during 2012−13, and were only marginally lower than in 2011–12. The strong upwards long-term trend in real prices since the late 1990s can be seen in chart 9 which shows average annual Brent crude oil prices since 1990–91.
Chart 9 Average annual price of Brent crude oil, in real terms: 1990–91 to 2012−13
[pic] Sources: ACCC calculations based on Platts data. U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer price index for all urban consumers, http://www.dlt.ri.gov/lmi/pdf/cpi.pdf, accessed 31 October 2013. Note: Real values in 2012−13 dollars. Chart 9 also shows that since the Global Financial Crisis (GFC) in 2007–08 real crude oil prices have remained at historically high levels despite global economic weakness. It is possible that this may in part be due to the effect on crude oil prices of the growing reliance on more costly sources of crude oil. As noted in recent ACCC petrol monitoring reports, development of unconventional crude oil deposits, such as tar sands and shale/tight reserves[7] have contributed to supplies and averted short-term supply scarcity. However, it would appear that the higher cost associated with the development of these deposits relative to conventional sources of crude oil, may have maintained upward pressure on the average cost of crude oil supplies and thus on crude oil prices. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has proposed a schematic showing production costs associated with different sources of crude oil. The schematic is reproduced in chart 10 and suggests rising costs of developing crude oil reserves as production moves from conventional to non‑conventional sources of crude oil. Estimated costs of production range from USD 10 per barrel for existing sources of conventional crude up to around USD 150 per barrel for biodiesel.
Chart 10 Estimated crude oil production costs: 2008 USD per barrel [pic] Source: ACCC estimates based on International Energy Agency, Medium- term oil and gas markets 2011; p. 62. Notes: Production cost is the break-even point not including an assumed rate of return on investment. EOR—Enhanced Oil Recovery. MENA—Middle East and North Africa. According to the data in chart 10, at the annual average crude oil price of USD 101 per barrel (in terms of 2008 dollars) for 2012−13, some sources of unconventional crude oil supplies are commercially viable, for example heavy oil bitumen and oil shales. The growth in production of crude oil from unconventional sources in recent years is in part a reflection of higher international prices. See section 4.4.3 for a discussion of unconventional sources of oil. As supplies of low-cost crude oil deposits continue to be depleted and the world increases its reliance on alternative high-cost sources of supplies, crude oil prices can be expected to continue to remain well above the levels of USD 20 to USD 40 per barrel that existed prior to the early 2000s (see chart 9).
Crude oil markers As noted, both Tapis and Brent are common crude oil markers used in Australia for benchmark pricing purposes. Traditionally, Tapis has been the main crude oil marker used in South-East Asia and the broader Asia-Pacific region. However, with the production of Tapis crude declining in recent years, Brent has been increasingly used as a marker for pricing crude oil in the region. In theory, crude oil markers—such as Tapis and Brent—are to some degree, interchangeable commodities in a global market. Therefore, in the medium to longer term the prices of these markers should vary little from each other, apart from differences in quality. Chart 11 presents price data in real terms for Tapis and Brent crude oil over the past 33 years. It is clear that movements in these two crude oil markers have tracked each other very closely.
Chart 11 Average annual benchmark prices of Brent and Tapis crude oil, in real terms: 1980 to 2013
[pic] Sources: Brent crude price data up until 2012 from BP Statistical review of world energy 2013; Brent crude price data for 2013 is ACCC calculations based on Bloomberg data; Tapis data is ACCC calculations based on Platts; U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer price index for all urban consumers, http://www.dlt.ri.gov/lmi/pdf/cpi.pdf, accessed 31 October 2013. Notes: Real values in 2013 dollars Brent 2013 data is 6-monthly data and Tapis is up to 9 August 2013 Other crude oil markers used around the world include the West Texas Intermediate (WTI), which is a light sweet crude priced out of Cushing, Oklahoma. Over the last few years, WTI has consistently traded at a discount to Brent and Tapis. WTI prices have been distorted by the build-up of excess supplies resulting from infrastructure bottlenecks at the landlocked trading hub for WTI at Cushing, Oklahoma. In October 2011, the WTI discount relative to Brent reached an all time high of USD 28 per barrel. The ACCC has previously stated that because of the unique supply situation at Cushing, the price of WTI was not representative of broader global demand and supply conditions and could not be considered a relevant crude oil marker for countries in the Asia-Pacific region. In addition, WTI is not exported out of the US nor is it generally used to benchmark prices in Australia. Since October 2011, however, the differential between WTI and Brent has decreased. Following an announcement in November 2011 that the pipeline linking Cushing to the Gulf Coast would be reversed, the differential between WTI and Brent fell to around USD 8 per barrel. Reversing the pipeline allowed crude oil to flow out of Cushing and helped to alleviate infrastructure constraints at Cushing. In recent months, the supply situation at Cushing has continued to improve. The differential between WTI and Brent fell to around USD 6 per barrel in July 2013. However, it is too soon to conclude that the price of WTI has become representative of broader global demand and supply conditions, and as a result should not yet be considered a relevant crude oil marker for countries in the Asia-Pacific region. Retail petrol prices over 2012−13 In 2012−13, average annual retail petrol prices across the five largest cities were broadly comparable to prices throughout 2011–12, both in terms of absolute levels and extent of variability. The annual average retail price of petrol across the five largest cities in 2012−13 was 141.3 cpl, which was 1.5 cpl lower than in 2011–12. In seven-day rolling average terms, during 2012−13, prices varied from a low of around 128 cpl in July 2012 to a high of around 151 cpl in February 2013—a range of 23 cpl. This is broadly comparable to 2011–12, when the range between the highest and lowest prices was 22 cpl. Chart 12 shows both the daily average retail prices and the seven-day rolling average prices, across the five largest cities over the period 1 July 2012 to 31 July 2013. The effect of the regular retail price cycle is clearly evident in this chart.
Chart 12 Daily average RULP prices and seven-day rolling average retail prices, five largest cities: 1 July 2012 to 30 September 2013
[pic] Source: ACCC calculations based on Informed Sources data.
Retail prices in regional locations Prices in regional locations in Australia tend to be higher than in capital cities. The ACCC has noted the concerns of motorists in regional locations about the relatively higher prices of petrol in some regional locations. Although retail prices in regional locations are largely driven by the same factors as those in larger capital cities, they are generally higher than in the capital cities for a number of reasons, including: • the limited number of retail sites operating in a particular regional market—a lower number of retail sites may mean a lower level of local competition • lower volumes of fuel sold (hence higher average costs) • distance/location factors increasing costs • lower convenience store sales (thus the need for greater margins on fuel). These factors can also explain differences in petrol prices between different regional locations. Price movements in regional locations tend to be more stable than in the five largest cities and also tend to lag behind movements in these cities, particularly in times of rapidly changing prices. Only a small number of regional locations have regular price cycles. These tend to be larger population centres or in locations very close to them. Chart 13 shows daily average retail prices across all of the monitored regional locations in Australia and daily average retail prices in the five largest cities over the period 1 July 2012 to 30 September 2013.[8] It can be seen that: • prices in regional locations in aggregate broadly follow prices in the five largest cities • regional locations in aggregate do not have the retail price cycles that are clearly evident in the five largest cities • the difference between prices in regional locations and the five largest cities varies the most when prices change rapidly, such as occurred in April and May 2013.
Chart 13 Daily average retail RULP prices, monitored regional locations in aggregate and five largest cities: 1 July 2012 to 30 September 2013
[pic] Source: ACCC calculations based on Informed Sources data. Nominal components of retail prices 2012−13 As Australian petrol prices are not regulated, local petrol companies have discretion in determining their prices. However, the two largest components of the petrol pump price are outside the control of local petrol companies. These cost components of petrol, diesel and LPG prices are: • the respective international benchmark prices for refined petrol, diesel and LPG • GST and excise taxes (for petrol and diesel—there is currently minimal excise imposed on LPG, although it increased from 5.0 cpl to 7.5 cpl on 1 July 2013). In 2012−13, taxes and international benchmark prices accounted for about 89 per cent of the average annual retail price of RULP in the five largest capital cities. That is, out of an annual average retail price of 141.3 cpl, 125.2 cpl is directly attributable to the cost of refining petrol and taxes (see chart 14). For diesel, these two components also account for 87 per cent of the annual average bowser price (see chart 15). For LPG, the international benchmark price and taxes account for 81 per cent, in part reflecting the low level of excise on LPG and higher transport and storage costs relative to petrol and diesel (see chart 16). Other costs and margins therefore account for about 16 cpl of the retail price of petrol, 19 cpl for diesel and 14 cpl for LPG. This amount covers a number of costs including transport and freight, salaries, repair and maintenance, storage and terminal costs.
Chart 14 Nominal components of Australian retail RULP prices in the five largest cities: 2012−13
Chart 15 Nominal components of Australian retail diesel prices in the five largest cities: 2012−13
Chart 16 Nominal components of Australian retail LPG prices in the five largest cities: 2012−13
[pic] Sources: ACCC calculations based on Informed Sources, LPG Australia and RBA data. Components of the pump price over time Chart 17 shows a more detailed breakdown of the components of the annual average retail petrol price of RULP across the five largest cities from 2010–11 to 2012−13. Each bar represents the annual average retail price disaggregated into the following: • Tapis crude oil—the benchmark for crude oil in the Asia-Pacific region (including Australia) • Excise (which is set at a constant 38.14 cpl) and GST • Gasoline crack—the difference between the price of Mogas 95 and Tapis crude oil • Wholesale costs and margins (excluding excise and GST) • Retail costs and margins (excluding GST).
Chart 17 Components of annual average retail RULP prices in the five largest cities: 2010–11 to 2012−13
[pic] Sources: ACCC calculations based on Informed Sources, Platts, RBA and WA FuelWatch data, and information provided by monitored companies. It can be seen in chart 17 that changes in the international price of crude oil have been overwhelmingly responsible for movements in average retail petrol prices over time. As noted, international prices are affected by a range of global economic and geo-political factors. With the exception of the gasoline crack, other components attributable to the local petrol companies and to excise and GST have been relatively stable. The producers of crude oil accrue the greatest benefits when international prices increase. This is because costs associated with the exploration and development of crude oil deposits are largely fixed in the short-term. Profits As part of its analysis of the downstream petroleum industry, the ACCC collects extensive financial information from the four refiner-wholesalers and major independent wholesalers and retailers. Financial information collected for the period from 2002–03 to 2012−13 was analysed to estimate the profitability of each sector of the downstream petroleum industry, including total supply (which includes the refining sub- sector along with imports and buy-sell transactions), wholesale and retail. The downstream petroleum industry derives its income from a variety of sources. These include the refining of crude oil into a suite of automotive fuels and other products; revenue from the on-selling of these refined products to the commercial sector; revenue from the on-selling of fuel to the public; and revenue from selling products at convenience stores (attached to retail sites). The ACCC produces estimates of revenues, costs and profits for the total suite of products sold in the Australian downstream petroleum industry and for petrol products, (that is, RULP, PULP and EBP). The ACCC does this on a consolidated basis for the entire downstream petroleum industry, as well as for each sector of the industry. Due to adjustments made for inter-sector transactions by integrated companies, combined sectorial and product groups’ financial results may not be comparable with estimates for the consolidated performance of the entire downstream industry.
Retail sector profits higher in 2012−13[9] The financial performance of the retail petrol sector has been characterised by growing profits since 2002–03, the first year for which the ACCC has collected data for the petrol monitoring program. In 2012−13, total retail net profits reported by the monitored firms increased 18.9 per cent in real terms (or 21.6 per cent in nominal terms) to $534.9 million compared with the previous twelve months (chart 18). These profits were earned on the retailing of all products and services, including convenience store sales. Chart 18 shows that the overall trend of rising profits in the retail sector has been particularly evident since 2008–09. Total retail profits have increased around 114 per cent in real terms in the five years to 2012−13, from $249.5 million in 2008–09 to $534.9 million in 2012−13.
Chart 18 Retail sector net profits in real terms, all products and services: 2002–03 to 2012−13 [pic] Sources: ACCC calculations based on data obtained from firms monitored through the ACCC’s monitoring process; ABS, 6401.0 Consumer Price Index, Australia, Table 1. CPI: All Groups, Index Numbers and Percentage Changes. Note: Real values in 2012−13 dollars. The ACCC has also estimated total and unit net profits earned on petrol products (RULP, PULP and EBP) sold in the retail sector. This measure of profits excludes profits from convenience store sales. Unit net profits are net profits per litre of petrol products sold and measure the difference between unit revenues, the average revenue per litre of petrol sold, and unit costs, the average cost of marketing/selling refined petrol to motorists. In 2012−13 net profits on petrol products rose 21.8 per cent in real terms to $297.5 million. Chart 19 shows net profits on petrol products since 2002–03. Net profits on petrol products have increased from $69.1 million in 2008–09 to $297.5 million in 2012−13.
Chart 19 Retail sector net profit in real terms, petrol products: 2002–03 to 2012−13 |[pic] |
Sources: ACCC calculations based on data obtained from firms monitored through the ACCC’s monitoring process; ABS, 6401.0 Consumer Price Index, Australia, Table 1. CPI: All Groups, Index Numbers and Percentage Changes. Note: Real values in 2012−13 dollars. Chart 20 shows unit net profits on petrol products since 2002–03. In 2012−13 unit net profits on petrol products rose to 2.36 cpl from 1.94 cpl in real terms in 2011–12 (or 1.89 cpl in nominal terms). It is also clear from chart 20 that unit net profits on petrol products have increased markedly in the five years since 2008–09. Petrol products’ unit net profits in real terms have increased more than four-fold from 0.58 cpl in 2008–09 to 2.36 cpl in 2012−13.
Chart 20 Retail sector unit net profit in real terms, petrol products: 2002–03 to 2012−13
[pic] Sources: ACCC calculations based on data obtained from firms monitored through the ACCC’s monitoring process; ABS, 6401.0 Consumer Price Index, Australia, Table 1. CPI: All Groups, Index Numbers and Percentage Changes. Note: Real values in 2012−13 dollars.
Regular and premium unleaded petrol Net profits on both PULP and RULP products have increased significantly since 2007–08. PULP products were a significant contributor to retail profits in 2012−13, earning similar total profits as RULP products on smaller volumes. As a result, in 2012−13, unit net profits on PULP products in the retail sector were 3.69 cpl compared with 1.77 cpl for RULP products. Since 2007–08, unit net profits on PULP products in the retail sector have increased more than 10-fold compared with a three-fold increase in RULP unit net profits. The NSW government mandate on ethanol may be one of the factors promoting greater demand for and higher net profits on PULP products. The NSW mandate, which requires a minimum of 6 per cent of total fuel sale volumes to be ethanol, may have contributed to an increase in demand for PULP products by reducing supply of RULP products in that state.
Convenience store profits higher in 2012−13 Along with higher profits on the sale of petrol products, convenience store products and services has been the other major source of increased profits in the retail sector. Chart 21 shows net profits on convenience store sales since 2006–07. In 2012−13 net profits on convenience store sales rose 17.1 per cent in real terms to $205.2 million. Chart 21 also shows that net profits on convenience store sales have increased consistently since 2006−07. In the last seven years convenience store profits have risen more than 140 per cent in real terms.
Chart 21 Convenience store net profit in real terms: 2006–07 to 2012−13 |[pic] |
Sources: ACCC calculations based on data obtained from firms monitored through the ACCC’s monitoring process; ABS, 6401.0 Consumer Price Index, Australia, Table 1. CPI: All Groups, Index Numbers and Percentage Changes. Note: Real values in 2012−13 dollars.
Concluding observations on retail sector profits Firms monitored by the ACCC with retail petrol businesses have experienced rising profits since 2002−03. Data considered in table 1 of this Summary (and also in chapter 3 of the 2013 petrol monitoring report) shows that retail sector shares held by firms monitored by the ACCC have changed markedly since 2002 03. The combined share of retail sales held by the four major petrol vertically integrated firms has fallen, while the shares held by supermarkets and the large independent retail chains, have increased. As the ACCC’s monitoring program does not extend to the entire Australian retail petrol sector, it excludes data on the operations of smaller independent retailers. It is therefore not possible to make observations about profits earned by these businesses or the extent to which monitored firms may have taken market share away from firms outside the ACCC’s monitoring program.
Consolidated downstream profits on all products and services up in 2012−13 Financial results for the broader downstream petroleum industry during 2012−13 again showed that profits in the industry are highly variable. The financial performance of the downstream petroleum industry is affected by the exposure in certain sectors, mainly refinery and total supply, to international factors. These sectors arrange the importation of crude and refined product and also hold and store product as they coordinate the purchase, sale and distribution of products. As monitored firms report financial data on a historical cost basis, volatile and rapidly changing international prices and exchange rates can impact significantly on the financial results for these sectors and the industry. In 2012−13 consolidated net profits on all products and services across all sectors of the downstream industry were $775.0 million (see chart 22). This compares with a net profit of $417.5 million in real terms (or $408.2 million in nominal terms) in 2011–12 and $2271.7 million in real terms (or $2171.2 million in nominal terms) in 2010–11. Annual average consolidated profits across all sectors and products over the last 11 years were $1615.9 million in real terms (or $1390.0 million in nominal terms). The increased profits during 2012−13 compared with 2011–12 were due to smaller losses in total supply (and refinery) and higher profits in retail. Chart 22 shows that total downstream profits since 2008–09 have been lower and more variable than in the period from 2002–03 to 2007–08. The total supply sector incurred losses of $623.0 million on all products in 2012−13 after recording a real loss of $1141.6 million (or a nominal loss of $1116.2 million) in the previous year. The refinery sector (a sub sector of the total supply sector) incurred a loss of $106.8 million on all products in 2012−13, compared with a real loss of $609.3 million (or a nominal loss of $595.8 million) in 2011–12. It is likely that gains in valuations of inventory holdings may have contributed to improved performances in the total supply and refinery sectors during 2012−13. The wholesale sector’s profits on all products were $863.0 million in 2012−13, representing a real fall of 22.2 per cent (or a nominal fall of 20.4 per cent) on profits earned in 2011–12. The retail sector, on the other hand, earned net profits across all products and services of $534.9 million, representing a real increase of 18.9 per cent (or a nominal increase of 21.6 per cent) on the previous twelve months. This result includes profits earned on convenience store products and services.
Chart 22 Total consolidated downstream net profit (adjusted EBIT) in real terms, all products: 2002–03 to 2012−13
[pic] Sources: ACCC analysis based on data obtained from firms monitored through the ACCC’s monitoring process; ABS, 6401.0 Consumer Price Index, Australia, Table 1. CPI: All Groups, Index Numbers and Percentage Changes. Note: Real values in 2012−13 dollars.
Consolidated downstream profits on petrol products higher in 2012−13 Total profits on petrol products (RULP, PULP and EBP) across all sectors of the downstream industry were $1009.8 million. This compares with a real net loss of $9.7 million (or nominal losses of $9.5 million) in 2011–12. In addition to estimating total industry profits, the ACCC has also estimated unit net profits, that is profits per litre of products sold in the entire downstream industry. Unit profits on petrol products, expressed as cents per litre (cpl), is a measure of the difference between unit revenues, the average revenue per litre of petrol sold, and unit costs, the average cost for the entire industry to purchase and process crude oil and market/sell a litre of refined petrol. In 2012−13, unit net profits on petrol products were 2.72 cpl. By comparison, in 2011–12 the entire downstream industry recorded a real and nominal unit net loss of 0.03 cpl. As shown in chart 23, the average annual real unit profit on petrol products since 2012−13 is 1.78 cpl (or an average nominal unit profit of 1.55 cpl). Chart 23 also shows that since 2008–09 total downstream unit net profits have been more variable and generally lower than in the six years to 2007–08.
Chart 23 Total downstream unit net profit in real terms, petrol products (cents per litre): 2002–03 to 2012−13
Australian refinery sector losses down in 2012−13 The volatile nature of profits in the Australian downstream petroleum industry is partly reflected in the variable financial performance of the refinery sector over the last decade. The refinery sector incurred a net loss of $106.8 million in 2012−13. This compares with a real net loss of $609.3 million (or nominal loss of $595.8 million) in 2011–12 and a net profit of $364.1 million (or a nominal profit of $348 million) in 2010–11 (see chart 24).
Chart 24 Refinery sector net profit in real terms, all products: 2002–03 to 2012−13
[pic] Sources: ACCC calculations based on data obtained from firms monitored through the ACCC’s monitoring process; ABS, 6401.0 Consumer Price Index, Australia, Table 1. CPI: All Groups, Index Numbers and Percentage Changes. Note: Real values in 2012−13 dollars. The refinery sector In Australia was generally profitable in the six years leading up to the GFC in 2007–08, due to favourable trading conditions, including high refining margins as a result of tight supplies and rising international crude oil and refined petrol prices. By contrast, the period since the GFC, has been characterised by a comparatively strong Australian exchange rate relative to the US dollar, volatile international prices resulting in losses in the values of inventory holdings and falling refinery margins due to ample availability of refined petrol in the Asia- Pacific region. The two distinct phases of financial performance of the refinery sector can be seen in chart 24. In the six years to 2007–08 refinery sector earned average annual net profits of $1346.0 million in real terms (or $1119.4 million in nominal terms). On the other hand, in the five years since 2008–09, the refinery sector has incurred losses averaging $153.1 million in real terms (or $146.3 million in nominal terms) per annum. Recent developments in the fuel industry
Ethanol blended petrol Ethanol is added to petrol to produce various grades of EBP. The most common EBP is E10, which is RULP containing up to 10 per cent ethanol. Total sales of EBP in Australia in 2012−13 decreased by around 5 per cent from 2011–12. Sales were down in NSW and Queensland, and increased marginally in Victoria. As a proportion of total petrol sales in Australia EBP sales remained unchanged (at 14 per cent). The number of retail sites selling E10 across Australia decreased in 2012−13. The largest volume of EBP is sold in NSW, which accounted for over 82 per cent of the Australian EBP market in 2012−13. This is primarily a result of the NSW ethanol mandate. From October 2011 the mandate has required that 6 per cent of the total volume of petrol sold in NSW should be ethanol. However, in 2012−13 only around 3.5 per cent of the volume of petrol sold was ethanol. In 2012−13, across all retail sites selling both RULP and E10 which are monitored by the ACCC, RULP prices were on average higher than E10 prices by around 2.0 cpl. This was a slight increase on 2011−12 (1.8 cpl). In 2012−13 there appeared to be sufficient supply to meet demand: ethanol production capacity in Australia was estimated to be 450 mega litres (ML) and ethanol demand was estimated to be around 284 ML.
Effects of New South Wales ethanol mandate Since its introduction in October 2007 the NSW mandate has had a significant impact on competition and consumers: • it has affected the competitive dynamic among retailers by reducing the availability of RULP from many retail sites • it has reduced consumer choice—some motorists who cannot use E10 in their vehicles (or choose not to) have, because of the reduced availability of RULP, decided to use PULP • in 2012−13 PULP accounted for the largest share of automotive fuels sold in NSW • as PULP retails at a higher price than RULP, it has meant that these motorists have been paying higher prices than if they had continued to purchase RULP • over the last 12 months the number of retail sites selling E10 only in Sydney has decreased by 70 sites to around 330 sites. This diminishes the adverse impact of the NSW ethanol mandate on those consumers that wish to purchase RULP.
Premium Fuels In Australia the two main grades of PULP are PULP 95 and PULP 98. Other grades of PULP are also available in the Australian market, but they are sold in much lower volumes. Sales of the PULP grades have grown steadily over the last five years. Over the same time sales of RULP have decreased by around one-fifth. In NSW PULP sales have almost doubled over the last five years, and now constitute almost half of total PULP sales in Australia. This increase has been significantly influenced by the ethanol mandate in that state, which has reduced the availability of RULP to consumers. In 2012−13 average PULP 95 retail prices were 10.4 cpl higher than average RULP retail prices, and average PULP 98 retail prices were 15.4 cpl higher than average RULP retail prices. These differentials were marginally higher than in 2011–12.
Refining The competitive environment faced by Australian refineries has changed dramatically in recent years. The US Energy Information Administration (US EIA) has noted that as refineries around the world become larger and more complex, small and older refineries (such as those still operating in Australia) will find it increasingly difficult to compete with petrol produced at lower margins.[10] Australian refineries were built many decades ago and are now small, as well as dated, by international standards. The emergence of large and more efficient refineries in Asia capable of producing Australian standard fuels has placed the smaller Australian refineries under intense competitive pressure. According to the Department of Resources Energy and Tourism (DRET) the Australian refining sector will continue to face a tough competitive climate in the foreseeable future: Australia’s refining industry is undergoing structural change in response to strong competitive pressure from larger and newer Asian refineries, which continue to lower the break-even benchmark that our refineries compete against. The domestic pressure of high local costs, coupled with a high exchange rate, is expected to keep Australian refineries under pressure for some time.[11]
These pressures have resulted in integrated oil companies moving further away from lower margin downstream activities (including refining) and concentrating on oil exploration and extraction activities. In the process, local petrol companies have rationalised their refinery assets, leading to the closure of refineries in the last few years. There were a number of significant developments in the Australian refining sector during 2012−13, including: • In July 2012, Caltex announced that it would close its Kurnell refinery in the second half of 2014 and convert it into an import terminal.[12] • In August 2012, Mobil formally closed the Port Stanvac refinery in Adelaide which was mothballed in 2003. Mobil has commenced demolition of its Port Stanvac refinery, with work planned to be completed by the end of 2013.[13] • During September and October 2012, Shell ceased refining operations at its Clyde refinery in Sydney. Following the cessation of refining operations, Shell has commenced the process of transitioning its Clyde site into an import terminal.[14] • In April 2013, Shell announced its intention to sell its Corio refinery before the end of 2014. Shell also noted that if it is unable to achieve a successful sale it would consider other options, such as converting the site into an import terminal.[15] With a positive medium term outlook for the supply of refined fuels in Asia, refinery margins will continue to be under pressure. In this climate, the challenges faced by the older and higher cost refineries such as those still operating in Australia are likely to intensify. Australian refineries are not unique in experiencing serious challenges. Refineries in OECD European countries are also undergoing structural change. The IEA reports that since 2008, 15 refineries have closed in Europe.[16] Further rationalisation is possible given over capacity and falling oil intensity due to continued gains in fuel efficiency. The closure of refineries will increase Australia’s reliance on imports of refined fuels. While Australia imported about 5 per cent of its refined petrol requirements in 2004–05, the Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics (BREE) forecasts that imports’ share of total consumption will increase to just under 50 per cent by 2019–20.[17] The IEA’s medium-term oil market report states that global refining capacity is set to rise by 9.5 mb/d over the 2013–18 period, the majority of which is planned in non-OECD Asia and the Middle East. Some of the new refining capacity in India and much of that being built in the Middle East, mainly in Saudi Arabia, will be used to produce fuel for export markets and cleaner fuels that meet stricter future environmental regulations. It would appear from these developments that the region could potentially produce adequate supplies of petrol refined to Australian standards.[18]
Wholesale (independent imports) Imports by independent wholesalers continued to grow in 2012−13. Independent imports have increased more than fivefold since 2007–08 when they represented less than 5 per cent of total imports by monitored firms. However, due to increased import activity by the refiner-wholesalers in the wake of refinery closures, the share of independent imports in total imports by monitored firms has fallen in the last three years from 40 per cent in 2010–11 to 30 per cent of total imports in 2011–12 and 26 per cent in 2012−13. The emergence of independent importers has been one of the most significant developments in the last decade in the wholesale sector of the Australian downstream industry. While still relatively small, the potential for additional future growth in independent imports means that independent importers continue to exert competitive discipline on the established petrol companies. Data presented in chapter 6 on wholesale prices indicates that import costs in Australia bear a close approximation to estimates of import parity prices (IPP).[19] In other words, IPP represent a reasonable proxy for import costs. In previous monitoring reports, the ACCC observed that buy- sell prices[20] are competitive with prices at which independent wholesalers/importers can purchase fuel from the refiner-wholesalers. This means that independent importers’ capacity to source fuel at IPP from overseas refineries represents a credible threat to by-pass local suppliers and places a constraint on prices charged by domestic refiner-wholesalers. Over the past few years, the majority of investment in import terminals has been undertaken by independent terminal owners, which has resulted in a significant increase in the number, capacity and accessibility of independently-owned import terminals. Reflecting this trend, refiner- wholesalers as well as smaller wholesalers/importers have been increasing their use of independently-owned terminals.
Acquisitions in the wholesale sector In 2012−13 there were a number of important developments in the structure of the wholesale sector, including merger and acquisition activity between independent wholesalers/importers. Puma Energy entered the Australian fuel market through the acquisitions of Central Combined Group (CCG), Ausfuel (with operations centred in Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland) and Neumann Petroleum (Queensland and northern New South Wales). Puma Energy, owned by Dutch- based commodity trader Trafigura Beheer BV, is an international energy company which has been diversifying into activities including petrol refining, storage, distribution and retail in a number of countries. In addition to acquiring the retail networks established by Neumann and Ausfuel, these acquisitions have provided Puma Energy with: • Neumann’s Eagle Farm terminal in Brisbane[21] • Ausfuel’s 11 fuel depots in Western Australia, South Australia and Northern Territory[22] • CCG’s five fuel depots throughout Mackay, Gladstone and Emerald, which is intended to increase Puma Energy’s exposure to the growing mining industry fuel market in regional Queensland.[23] In December 2012, Japanese energy/petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan purchased Freedom Fuels. Idemitsu Kosan acquired all of Freedom Fuel’s retail sites, mainly in Queensland and New South Wales, as well as its import fuel terminals in Sydney and Brisbane.[24] The acquisition of assets in the Australian downstream petroleum industry by a commodities trading firm and an energy company, and the potential interest in other assets by other such firms, is significant. It may signal changing perceptions of Australia’s presence in the global petroleum market. Australia is the 12th largest economy in the world and the largest economy in the South East Asian region.[25] With global integrated companies closing down their refineries in Australia and generally reducing their presence in the domestic downstream industry, Australia will have to increase its reliance on imports to meet its fuel requirements. According to some media reports, Australia is poised to become the largest importer of refined fuel in South East Asia.[26] The prospect of Australia’s import requirements increasing substantially means that commodity traders already in the business of moving large quantities of refined fuel around the world, are now interested in increasing their exposure to Australia in their global portfolio of regional investments. Ownership of a retail network, such as Trafigura has accomplished through Puma Energy’s purchase of Neumann and Ausfuel, provides importers with a ready-made outlet for imported petrol. It is plausible that ownership by Neumann and Ausfuel of strategic assets, such as terminals and pipelines in proximity to mining centres in Queensland and Western Australia, may have added to Trafigura’s interest in these businesses. In this context, potential interest in Australia’s largest independent wholesaler, United Petroleum, is not surprising. Recent media reports suggest that United Petroleum may also be a potential seller of its wholesale (and retail) business. Companies which have been reported to be potentially interested in acquiring United include the Vitol group, also a Dutch-based global commodities trader.[27] United Petroleum has a larger retail network than Ausfuel and Neumann and also owns a terminal in Hastings, Victoria, but has fewer assets in the mining rich states of Queensland and Western Australia.
Retail There was a substantial amount of activity between independent operators in the retail sector throughout 2012−13, including a number of acquisitions. As noted, Puma Energy entered the Australian retail sector through its acquisitions of Ausfuel, Neumann Petroleum and CCG. Puma Energy’s acquisitions provided it with a substantial fuel retailing network, including: • 110 retail sites from its acquisition of Ausfuel • 120 retail sites from its the acquisition of Neumann Petroleum • 18 retail sites from its acquisition of CCG. Through its acquisition of Freedom Fuels, Japanese petroleum company Idemitsu Kosan also entered the Australian retail petrol sector in 2012−13. This acquisition provided Idemitsu Kosan with a network of 42 retail sites. In May 2013, Peregrine Corporation (which operates under the trading name of On The Run) advised the ACCC that it intended to acquire 25 of BP’s company owned and operated retail petrol sites in South Australia, comprising all 16 of BP’s sites in Adelaide and nine sites in regional South Australia. Subsequently Peregrine acquired the nine regional sites which were not subject to the clearance application. The ACCC timeline for the review of the proposed acquisition of 16 Adelaide sites has been suspended to allow the merger parties to provide further information. As noted, there have also been reports that independent fuel retailer United Petroleum is considering selling its network of retail sites and fuel distribution network.[28] Table 1 shows the current share of retail sale volumes among the refiner- marketers, supermarkets and independent retail chains.
Table 1 Share of volume of retail petrol sales by brand: 2002–03 to 2012−13 | |BP |Calte|Mobil|Shell|Coles |Woolworth|Large | | | |x | | |Express/S|s/ |independe| | | | | | |hell |Caltex |nt retail| | |% | |% |% |(co-brand|(co-brand|chains | | | |% | | |ed) |ed) |% | | | | | | |% |% | | |2002–0|20 |24 |19 |20 |– |10 |6 | |3 | | | | | | | | |2003–0|20 |22 |17 |3 |16 |14 |7 | |4 | | | | | | | | |2004–0|18 |18 |12 |3 |25 |18 |6 | |5 | | | | | | | | |2005–0|19 |16 |11 |3 |25 |20 |6 | |6 | | | | | | | | |2006–0|19 |16 |11 |3 |22 |22 |7 | |7 | | | | | | | | |2007–0|20 |17 |11 |2 |20 |22 |8 | |8 | | | | | | | | |2008–0|19 |16 |11 |2 |22 |23 |9 | |9 | | | | | | | | |2009–1|17 |16 |10 |2 |22 |23 |10 | |0 | | | | | | | | |2010–1|19 |18 |– |2 |22 |23 |17 | |1 | | | | | | | | |2011–1|16 |18 |– |2 |23 |24 |17 | |2 | | | | | | | | |2012−1|15 |18 |– |2 |24 |24 |18 | |3 | | | | | | | |
Source: ACCC analysis and estimates based on data obtained from firms monitored through the ACCC’s monitoring process. Notes: Data is only for monitored companies, so does not include the total volume of retail sales in Australia. Large independent retail chains are: 7-Eleven, On the Run, and the retail operations of Neumann, United and Ausfuel. In 2002–03, Woolworths was not co-branded with Caltex. Totals may not add to 100 per cent due to rounding. In 2012−13, refiner wholesalers’ combined market share of branded retail sales by monitored firms was 35 per cent, the lowest since 2002–03 when their combined market share was 83 per cent. On the other hand, independent retail chains and the supermarkets have experienced increases in the share of the retail market monitored by the ACCC. From 2002-03 to 2012 13, the supermarkets’ retail market share has increased from 10 per cent to 48 per cent, while the share held by the large independent chains has increased from 7 per cent to 18 per cent. The retail market shares held by supermarkets and large independent retail chains have increased at a time when, as noted earlier (and further explored in chapter 12 of the 2013 petrol monitoring report) retail profits have increased also.
Role of the ACCC The ACCC does not regulate prices in the downstream petroleum industry, nor does it have a role in setting petrol prices. Petrol prices in Australia are set by market forces. The ACCC is an independent statutory authority that administers the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (the Act) (formerly the Trade Practices Act 1974) and other laws. The purpose of the Act is to enhance the welfare of Australians through the promotion of competition and fair trading and provision for consumer protection. These laws apply to all industry sectors, including the fuel industry. Apart from its monitoring functions, the ACCC’s activities in the fuel industry relating to the Act include enforcement and compliance, mergers and acquisitions, authorisations and notifications, and administration of the Oilcode. The ACCC also maintains an active role in enhancing consumer awareness and information on petrol issues and engaging with stakeholders. Enforcement and compliance
Misleading conduct and false representations In 2012−13, the ACCC received around 100 complaints (around 11 per cent of all fuel related contacts) alleging misleading and deceptive conduct and false or misleading representations in the fuel industry. Similar to 2011–12, the main issues raised by consumers in 2012−13 included concerns about pricing practices, labelling on fuel pumps, advertising promotions (such as discount schemes), fuel quality claims and concerns about inaccurate fuel measurements.
Fuel price boards In response to concern about the potential for consumers to be misled by the advertising of fuel prices, in particular discounted and undiscounted prices, on road side price boards, Treasury, together with all the Australian Consumer Law regulators have worked to identify options for a consistent national framework on fuel price board signage. A public consultation paper on a proposed national petrol information standard was released in December 2012 and consultation undertaken with industry and consumer groups. In July 2013 no agreement was reached on the standard and Consumer Affairs Ministers decided that further public consultation with industry and consumer stakeholders was appropriate. In November 2013, Consumer Affairs Ministers noted further consultation had taken place and agreed that the Federal Government would work on a proposal for a minimum mandatory information standard for price boards. It is anticipated that the proposed national information standard will be put to a vote by Consumer Affairs Ministers in 2014.
Price information sharing The ACCC’s investigation into whether price information sharing arrangements in relation to the retail petrol sector may be in breach of the Act, announced on 3 May 2012, is nearing completion and it is anticipated it will be finalised in the coming months. The ACCC is concerned that these arrangements may lessen price competition in petrol retailing to the detriment of consumers by reducing independent rivalry between the major petrol retailers in their setting of prices. These petrol price sharing arrangements allow for the private and very frequent exchange of comprehensive retail price information between the major petrol retailers.
Petrol shopper docket discounting schemes The ACCC’s investigation into the competition implications of shopper docket discount fuel offers by the major supermarkets was completed in December 2013. This investigation, which had been on‑going since early 2012, has raised competition concerns in relation to shopper docket fuel discount schemes, given the extended frequency, duration and quantum of shopper docket fuel discounts offered by the major supermarket chains. The investigation resulted in undertakings being given to the ACCC by both Coles Group Limited and Woolworths Limited that they would limit their shopper docket discounts.
Markets in regional Australia As part of its monitoring activities in 2012−13, the ACCC continued to actively monitor fuel prices in around 180 regional locations throughout Australia. The ACCC uses this information to assess the competitiveness of fuel prices in regional locations. Where there is an allegation of anti-competitive conduct, the ACCC will make targeted inquires to investigate the issue. After making inquiries, if there is information available to the ACCC that suggests that a breach of the Act is likely to have occurred, it can take action to enforce the Act. Many regional locations only have a limited number of retail sites operating in that particular market. Given this, the ACCC pays particular attention to potential changes in ownership of retail sites in regional locations to ensure that sales would not result in a substantial lessening of competition in those markets. Mergers and acquisitions Section 50 of the Act prohibits acquisitions that would have the effect, or likely effect, of substantially lessening competition in a market. The ACCC administers and enforces the merger provisions under Part IV of the Act. During 2012−13, the ACCC considered two fuel-related acquisitions, the details of which are summarised below.
Shell Company of Australia Ltd—completed acquisition of former BP-branded Gundagai North Service In late-2012, Shell acquired a leasehold interest in the formerly BP- branded North Gundagai Service Centre on the northbound side of Hume Highway at Gundagai. Shell also leases a service station on the southbound side of Hume Highway at Gundagai, which is operated by Coles Express. This site is approximately 9 km south of the formerly BP-branded North Gundagai Service Centre. The ACCC concluded that the completed acquisition was unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the market for the retail supply of petroleum based fuels In the Hume Highway Gundagai region. As a result, the ACCC announced on 30 April 2013 that it would cease its investigation of the completed acquisition.
Sale of BP retail sites in South Australia to Peregrine Corporation In May 2013, Peregrine Corporation (which operates under the trading name of On The Run) advised the ACCC that it intended to acquire 25 of BP’s company owned and operated retail petrol sites in Adelaide and nine sites in regional South Australia. Peregrine has acquired the nine regional sites which were not subject to the clearance application. The ACCC is continuing to investigate whether the acquisition would be likely to have the effect of substantially lessening competition in the retail sale of fuel in Adelaide and South Australia. Authorisations and notifications In certain circumstances, the ACCC can grant protection from legal action for certain anti-competitive conduct where the public benefit from that conduct outweighs any public detriment. Businesses may obtain protection from legal action by applying for an authorisation or submitting a notification to the ACCC. All authorisation applications and notifications are available on a public register and on the ACCC’s website.
Authorisations Authorisation is a process under which protection can, following the receipt of a valid application, be granted for potential breaches of the competition provisions of the Act—except for the misuse of market power—if the ACCC is satisfied the conduct delivers a net public benefit. There were no fuel-related authorisations lodged with the ACCC in 2012−13.
Exclusive dealing notifications Exclusive dealing conduct involves placing restrictions on the supply of goods or services, such as requiring a person to purchase goods from a third-party supplier (known as third-line forcing), or requiring a person not to purchase goods from other competitors. Protection from legal action under the Act for engaging in this conduct can be obtained by lodging a notification with the ACCC. In 2012−13, the ACCC considered four fuel-related third-line forcing exclusive dealing notifications, all of which were allowed to stand. The third-line forcing conduct under the notifications fell into two broad categories: • shopper docket arrangements involving IGA supermarkets • a discount on fuel purchased from a supplier to business entities who are participants In the buying-group program.
Administration of the Oilcode he Oilcode came into effect on 1 March 2007 as a prescribed industry code of conduct under the Act and aims to regulate the conduct of suppliers, distributors and retailers in the downstream petroleum industry. A review of the Oilcode by the Department of Industry (formerly Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism) is scheduled to commence in late 2013. The ACCC’s role is to ensure compliance with the Oilcode and the Act by informing downstream petroleum industry participants of their rights and obligations under the law and by enforcing the law where necessary. In 2012−13, the ACCC received two complaints and five enquiries about the Oilcode. The complaints were not pursued as the issues identified were unlikely to raise concerns under the Oilcode or the Act. Informing consumers While the ACCC’s primary role is to enforce the provisions of the Act, it also monitors fuel prices. In doing this, the ACCC seeks to educate consumers on what influences domestic retail prices by providing fact sheets, information on its website and by responding to calls to its Infocentre. Throughout 2012−13, the ACCC expanded and reviewed its public information activities to provide a broad range of information to consumers. Stakeholder engagement In addition to on-going liaison with key stakeholders as a part of its broader role, the ACCC formally consulted with fuel industry and consumer groups through its Fuel Consultative Committee (FuelCC). In 2012−13 the FuelCC met on two occasions and discussed a number of issues related to the fuel industry including sale of significant refining assets, availability of pricing information to consumers, state government mandates on biofuels, confusion about price cycles, fuel supply concerns, broader industry regulation and profitability of the fuel industry, and service station drive-off-failure-to-pay compliance issues.
----------------------- [1] Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics, (2013), Australian Petroleum Statistics, Issue number 205, August 2013
[2] Retail profits on petrol products include subsidies from non-fuel businesses for costs associated with sales of discounted petrol
Ü¼[pic]Ý¼[pic]¨¾[pic]©¾[pic]ª¾[pic]íÀ[pic]îÀ[pic]ïÀ[pic]äÇ[pic]åÇ[pic]aÈ[pic] fÈ[pic]oÈ[pic]pÈ[pic]OÐ[pic]PÐ[pic]QÐ[pic]¦Ð[pic]§Ð[pic]¨Ð[pic]`Ñ[pic]aÑ[pic] bÑ[pic]`Ò[pic]aÒ[pic]bÒ[pic]öÓ[pic]÷Ó[pic]]Õ[pic]^Õ[pic]»Ù[pic]¼Ù[pic]Xâ[pic] Yâ[pic]Zâ[pic]ä[pic]ä[pic]ä[pic]ä[pic],ä[pic].ä[pic]@ä[pic]Bä[pic]Tä[pic]Vä[pic] šä[pic]œä[pic]àä[pic]âä[pic]$å[pic]&å[pic](å[pic]^å[pic]`å[pic]–å[pic]˜å[pic] Îå[pic]Ðå[pic]æ[pic]æ[pic]>æ[pic]@æ[pic]væ[pic]xæ[pic]®æ[pic]°æ[pic][3] A seven-day rolling average price is the average of the current day’s price and the prices on the six previous days. In the case of retail prices it is the average of calendar days, but in the case of Mogas 95 it is the average of working days (i.e. Monday to Friday). The refiner-wholesalers use a rolling average for Mogas 95 prices when determining their wholesale prices.
[4] Mogas 95, or Motor Gasoline 95, refers to the price of unleaded petrol with a Research Octane Number (RON) of 95.
[5] U.S. Energy Information Administration (2013), Countries: Singapore, see: http://www.eia.gov/countries/analysisbriefs/Singapore/singapore.pdf—accessed 31 October 2013.
[6] A petrol price cycle is a movement in price from a trough to a peak to a subsequent trough. See chart 10.1 in chapter 10. The ACCC defines a price cycle as having occurred when the increase in price from the trough to the peak is 3 per cent or more of the trough price, and the decrease in price to the subsequent trough is also 3 per cent or more of the initial trough price. A price cycle increase is the increase in price from the initial trough to the peak. Petrol price cycles are discussed in more detail in chapter 10.
[7] Tight oil refers to liquid oil embedded in low-permeable sandstone, carbonate and shale rock (US Energy Information Administration, Annual Energy Outlook 2012, p. 95).
[8] The specific regional locations monitored by the ACCC in each state and the Northern Territory are listed in appendix F. It also provides average annual prices for RULP, diesel, automotive LPG and EBP in 2012−13 for each of those locations.
[9] Retail profits on petrol products include subsidies from non‑fuel businesses for costs associated with sales of discounted petrol.
[10] US Energy Information Administration (2012), Annual Energy Outlook, p. 44.
[11] Department of Resources Energy and Tourism, Energy White Paper 2012, p. 125, at: http://www.ret.gov.au/energy/Documents/ewp/2012/Energy_%20White_Paper_2012.p df. Accessed 25 September 2013.
[12] Caltex Australia (2012), Facts about our Kurnell refinery announcement, Media release, 10 August: http://www.caltex.com.au/Pages/FactsKurnell.aspx. Accessed 25 September 2013.
[13] ExxonMobil (2012), Adelaide Refinery demolition underway, Media release, 5 September, http://www.exxonmobil.com.au/Australia- English/PA/news_releases_20120905.aspx. Accessed 25 September 2013
[14] Shell Australia (2012), Date of Clyde conversion confirmed, Media release, 6 June, http://www.shell.com.au/aboutshell/media-centre/news-and- media-releases/archive/2012/date-for-clyde-conversion-07062012.html. Accessed 25 September 2013
[15] Shell Australia (2013), Shell announces Geelong refinery for sale, Media release, 4 April, http://www.shell.com.au/aboutshell/media- centre/news-and-media-releases/2013/shell-glg-refinery-for-sale- 04042013.html. Accessed 25 September 2013
[16] Medium Term Oil Market Report, OECD/IEA 2013, p. 90.
[17] See Department of Resources Energy and Tourism, Energy White Paper 2012, p. 126, at http://www.ret.gov.au/energy/Documents/ewp/2012/Energy_%20White_Paper_2012.p df. Accessed 25 September 2013
[18] For a discussion of developments in global refinery capacity see section on ‘Refining’ in Medium Term Oil Market Report, OECD/IEA 2013, pp. 80–106.
[19] The import parity price is the notional cost of importing refined petrol to Australia. See chapter 6 for a discussion of import parity prices.
[20] These are prices that the four refiner-wholesalers charge each other for refined petrol bought and sold to each other in locations where one of them does not have a refinery.
[21] Puma Energy (2013), Puma Energy completes Ausfuel and Neumann Petroleum acquisitions, Media release, 4 March, http://www.pumaenergy.com/2013/03/04/puma-energy-completes-ausfuel-and- neumann-petroleum-acquisitions. Accessed 21 September 2013
[22] Puma Energy (2013), Puma Energy completes Ausfuel and Neumann Petroleum acquisitions, Media release, 4 March, http://www.pumaenergy.com/2013/03/04/puma-energy-completes-ausfuel-and- neumann-petroleum-acquisitions. Accessed 23 September 2013
[23] Puma Energy (2013), Puma Energy secures entry into Australian mining market, 27 February, http://www.pumaenergy.com/2013/02/27/puma-energy- secures-entry-into-australian-mining-market. Accessed 23 September 2013
[24] Idemitsu Kosan Co., Ltd (2012), Idemitsu acquires Australian petroleum products distributor Freedom Energy Holdings Pty Ltd, Media release, 17 December, http://www.idemitsu.com/company/news/2012/121217.html. Accessed 23 September 2013
[25] See World Bank country rankings by Gross Domestic Product 2012, at http://databank.worldbank.org/data/download/GDP.pdf. Accessed 21 September 2013
[26] See Javier Blas, Trafigura bets $800m on Australia energy, Financial Times, 3 February 2013, at http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3197076a- 6e14–11e2–983d-00144feab49a.html. Accessed 21 September 2013
[27] Street Talk, United Petroleum may interest Caltex, Vitol, Australian Financial Review, 27 August 2013, p. 16. See http://www.afr.com/tags?tag=C_A-CAP%20RESOURCES%20LIMITED-ACB. Accessed 21 September 2013
[28] Gillian Tan (2013), United Petroleum considers sale or JV, appoints KPMG as adviser, The Australian, July 26 2013, http://www.theaustralian.com.au/business/wall-street-journal/united- petroleum-considers-sale-or-jv-appoints-kpmg-as-adviser/story-fnay3vxj- 1226686343858. Accessed 21 September 2013
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