* New fine is for repeat offences
* Eni's Versalis unit also named in new EU charges
BRUSSELS, March 1 (Reuters) - Italian oil and gas companyEni faces an additional fine of 90.75 million euros($118.64 million) for its role in a 2006 synthetic rubber cartelcase, EU antitrust regulators said on Friday.
The European Commission penalised Eni and its Versalis unita total of 272.25 million euros in 2006 for participating in thecartel together with five other companies, including Germany'sBayer, U.S. company Dow and Shell.
The companies won a court challenge in 2011 against anadditional sanction for repeat offenders, after Europe's secondhighest court said the Commission had not explained itsreasoning clearly.
The EU competition authority said it had now provided moredetails on the issue, allowing it to go ahead with the new fine.
It had informed Eni and Versalis, previously known asPolimeri Europa, with a "statement of objections" or chargesheet, that it intends to re-impose an increase in the fine,amounting to 90.75 million euros, because it was a repeatoffence.
"The addressees now have the opportunity to reply to theCommission's objections before any amending decision re-imposing the fine uplift is taken," the Commission said in astatement.
Eni can request an oral hearing to defend its case.
