Comment le pétrole russe contourne les sanctions occidentales

Summary

This investigation reveals how Russia continues to circumvent international sanctions on its oil exports through a complex network of intermediaries. Using a Dubai-based company, Coral Energy, and its shell companies, Russian oil is transported covertly to global markets. Despite a G7 embargo and a price ceiling on Russian oil, documents expose how products are sold above the sanctioned price. Through secretive dealings involving firms like Trafigura, this network helps Russia fund its war efforts. Legal experts warn these transactions risk violating sanctions, yet major players, including French companies, continue to engage in these controversial operations.

Takeaways

• 😀 Two tankers were spotted off the coast of Greece, one transporting Russian oil products under embargo by the EU and US.
• 😀 Coral Energy, an Emirati trading company, is at the center of a scheme to help Russia sell oil and fund its war effort.
• 😀 Despite sanctions, Russian oil exports have only dropped slightly, with a 14% decrease between 2022 and 2024.
• 😀 The tanker MT Osaka carried naphtha from Russia and was bought at a price above the maximum ceiling set by sanctions.
• 😀 Coral Energy does not directly purchase from Russian producers but instead uses intermediary companies like Blackford Corporation.
• 😀 The Blackford Corporation, based in Hong Kong, is essentially a front company for Coral, allowing for covert dealings with Russia.
• 😀 On December 21, 2023, Blackford purchased naphtha from a Russian company, Oil Technologies, which was later transferred to another vessel.
• 😀 The oil cargo was offloaded onto the Marlin Lome ship, operated by the large Swiss company Trafigura, erasing all traces of its Russian origin.
• 😀 In 2023, at least 82 sales of Russian oil were traced through Coral and its front companies, with many sales going to Trafigura.
• 😀 Legal experts argue that these transactions may constitute a violation of sanctions, especially considering the inflated prices above the price cap.
• 😀 Coral Energy and Trafigura continue their oil dealings despite allegations of circumventing sanctions, with Coral denying new contracts with Russian suppliers after 2022.

Q & A

What is the primary focus of this report?

The report focuses on how Russia continues to export its oil despite sanctions from the European Union and the G7, using complex trade networks and shell companies like Coral Energy to bypass the embargo.

What sanctions did the G7 and the EU implement against Russia in May 2022?

In May 2022, the G7 and the EU imposed stringent economic sanctions, including an embargo on Russian oil imports and a price ceiling for Russian oil exports to third-party countries to limit Russia's ability to fund its war in Ukraine.

How did Coral Energy facilitate the continued export of Russian oil?

Coral Energy, a UAE-based trading company, used intermediaries and shell companies like Blackford Corporation to buy Russian oil. By using these companies, Coral could purchase Russian oil in secrecy and evade sanctions.

What role did the ship MT Osaka play in the oil export process?

The MT Osaka was used to transport Russian oil, specifically naphta, from the Russian port of Novorossiysk. It transferred its cargo to another ship, Marlin Lome, operated by the Swiss company Trafigura, which then continued the journey to South Korea.

How much above the price ceiling was the naphta sold for in December 2023?

The naphta was sold for $55 per barrel, which is $10 above the price ceiling of $45 per barrel set by the sanctions.

What method did Coral Energy use to conceal the origin of Russian oil?

Coral Energy used a series of shell companies, such as Blackford Corporation, to mask the origin of the oil. These companies acted as intermediaries, making it appear as though the oil came from non-Russian sources, thus evading sanctions.

How many transactions involving Russian oil did Coral Energy facilitate in a year?

Coral Energy facilitated at least 82 sales of Russian oil products in one year, including 41 transactions with Trafigura.

What did legal experts say about these transactions?

Legal experts suggested that such transactions could violate sanctions laws, as they involved the purchase of Russian oil above the sanctioned price ceilings, and might lead to legal consequences for the involved companies.

What was the stance of Trafigura on the transactions with Coral Energy?

Trafigura denied any wrongdoing, claiming to adhere to the price ceiling requirements. However, despite prior accusations against Coral Energy, Trafigura continued to engage in business with the company well into 2024.

What is the significance of the involvement of companies like Total Energy in these transactions?

The involvement of companies like Total Energy highlights the ongoing international trade with companies that might be indirectly aiding the Russian oil trade, even as they face accusations of circumventing sanctions.