FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  October 14, 1987

        FTC ASKS COURT TO BLOCK PACIFIC RESOURCES INC.'S
           ACQUISITION OF SHELL OIL'S HAWAIIAN ASSETS

     The Federal Trade Commission has asked a federal court to
block Pacific Resources Inc.'s proposed $32 million acquisition
of Shell Oil Co.'s Hawaiian petroleum products and gasoline
assets.  The Commission said that, if consummated, the
acquisition could substantially reduce competition in the supply
of gasoline and diesel fuel in the state.
     The Commission on Thursday asked the U.S. District Court for
the Western District of Washington to issue a preliminary
injunction halting the merger.
     The Commission said that the acquisition could reduce
competition in the supply of gasoline and diesel fuel to the
state of Hawaii, particularly to the islands of Oahu, Hawaii,
Maui, and Kauai.  In addition, it could increase prices for
gasoline or diesel fuel in the state, by eliminating one of only
two companies that can import the product to the state of Hawaii.
     Pacific Resources has offered to acquire Shell's four
petroleum products distribution terminals, its company-owned gas
stations, the supply contracts to a number of dealer-owned
stations, and various licenses.  All the assets are located in
the state of Hawaii and comprise all of Shell's assets in that
state.
     Pacific Resources, through its subsidiaries, owns a refinery
and several petroleum products storage and distribution
terminals, and operates a wholesale petroleum products
distribution terminal in Honolulu.  It also owns "Gas Express"
service stations on the island of Oahu.
     Shell is based in Houston and Pacific Resources is based in
Honolulu.
     The Commission's motion asks that the acquisition be blocked
by a court order pending administrative proceedings to determine
the legality of the purchase.  Under federal law, if the court
issues a preliminary injunction, the Commission must issue an
administrative complaint beginning such proceedings within 20
days.
     Copies of the Commission's court filing are available from
the FTC's Public Reference Branch, Room 130, 6th St. and
Pennsylvania Ave. N.W., Washington, D.C. 20580; 202-326-2222; TTY
202-326-2502.

                              # # #

MEDIA CONTACT:     Susan Ticknor, Office of Public Affairs,
                   202-326-2181
STAFF CONTACT:     Ronald B. Rowe, Bureau of Competition,
                   202-326-2610

(FTC File No. 871 0065)  (Civil Action No. 87-1390)  (PRI2)