SOUTH Africa’s Competition Commission says it sought to scupper a joint venture by local units of BP, Caltex and Shell because it would have squeezed competition once the domestic industry was deregulated. Earlier, global oil giants Shell Group, BP Amoco Plc and Caltex Oil cancelled plans for the Trident supply and distribution joint venture after hearing the commission would urge the Competition Tribunal to turn it down. The three companies proposed the domestic supply and distribution network joint venture in August last year to lift margins. – Reuters