Federal Antitrust Trial Over Merger of Arco-BP Postponed to Allow Settlement Talks

March 15, 2000
00-065
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

(SAN FRANCISCO) – Federal Judge Susan Illston today delayed the antitrust trial on the merger of BP Amoco p.l.c., and ARCO at the request of California, Washington, Oregon and the Federal Trade Commission.

The request to stay the proceedings in the challenge of the merger was made by the western states and the FTC to allow time to pursue settlement negotiations on substantial and constructive new proposals from the two oil companies. The trial had been scheduled to begin Monday, March 20.