By Giulia Petroni


Italy's competition watchdog has searched the offices of several energy companies including Eni SpA and Exxon Mobil Corp's subsidiary Esso Italiana over alleged fuel-price violations at petrol stations.

The Italian Competition Authority, or AGCM, said Monday that the probe concerns discrepancies between advertised prices and prices being charged at the pump or failures in displaying prices. Inspections were also carried out at the offices of Italiana Petroli Spa, Kuwait Petroleum Italia Spa and Tamoil Italia Spa.

The probed companies allegedly failed to take appropriate measures to prevent and counter these discrepancies "to the detriment of consumers," the Italian authority said.

Eni said it is cooperating with the authority. "We have already taken any contractual or operational measures against any improper behavior," it said in a statement.

Esso Italiana, Italiana Petroli, and Kuwait Petroleum Italia, and Tamoil Italia weren't immediately available for comment when contacted by Dow Jones Newswires.


Write to Giulia Petroni at giulia.petroni@wsj.com


(END) Dow Jones Newswires

01-16-23 1042ET