FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  August 13, 1987


        FTC SEEKS TO BLOCK PACIFIC RESOURCES' ACQUISITION
                 OF SHELL OIL'S HAWAIIAN ASSETS


     The Federal Trade Commission today authorized its staff to
seek a preliminary injunction blocking Pacific Resources Inc.'s
proposed $32 million acquisition of Shell Oil Co.'s Hawaiian
petroleum products and gasoline assets.  The Commission has
reason to believe that the acquisition could substantially reduce
competition in the distribution of gasoline and other petroleum
fuels in the state.
     Pacific Resources has offered to acquire Shell's four
petroleum products distribution terminals, 39 company-owned gas
stations, the supply contracts to 29 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 15 "Gas Express"
service stations on the island of Oahu.
     Shell is based in Houston and Pacific Resources is based in
Honolulu.
     The Commission will ask a federal district court to block
the acquisition pending administrative proceedings to determine
the legality of the purchase.  Under federal law, if the court
grants preliminary relief, the Commission must issue an
administrative complaint beginning such proceedings within 20
days.

                              # # #


MEDIA CONTACT:     Susan Ticknor, Office of Public Affairs,
                   202-326-2179

STAFF CONTACT:     Ronald B. Rowe, Bureau of Competition,
                   202-326-2610

(PriShell)

(FTC File No. 871 0065)