The French group ensures that the transfer agreement was concluded on July 18 but that it was only validated by the Russian authorities. “Le Monde” revealed, at the beginning of the week, that this Russian deposit had provided gas condensate transformed into kerosene which was able to fuel Russian planes engaged in the conflict in Ukraine.
Le Monde with AFP
The Totalenergies French group announced, Friday, August 26, having granted himself with his Russian partner Novatek to give him his participation of 49 % in the Terneftegaz company, which operates the gas field of Termokatstovoïe, in Russia.
This is the gas field on which Le Monde was investigated based on several documents and a survey by the Global Witness NGO. This deposit provided gas condensate to a Russian refinery, which made it kerosene, which was able to fuel Russian planes engaged in the conflict in Ukraine.
Totalnergies denied information from the world, also arguing that the steps to give in this joint venture had started several weeks ago. Totalenergies says he has granted himself on July 18 with Novatek (which he also holds at 19.4 %) to give him his participation of 49 % in Terneftegaz, “in economic conditions allowing Totalenergies to recover the amounts Invested in this field “, can be read in the press release of the multinational, which does not advance. Novatek confirmed that he now held 100 % of this field. 2>
“extremely serious” subject for Clément Beaune
The Russian authorities were seized, on August 8, of a request for authorization from this transaction; They gave their agreement on August 25, and Totalenergies and Novatek thus signed the final sale agreement on Friday.
The oil giant adds that this sale is its “principles of action” set in March for its activities related to Russia. After the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Totalenergies announced in particular that it would no longer invest in new projects in Russia, but it maintains activities, mainly concentrated around liquefied gas from the Yamal LNG company.
Totalenergies, which claims “not producing kerosene for the Russian army”, has been under pressure since the publication of the world’s investigation. Friday morning, the group published elements from Novatek ensuring that this fuel was in no way intended to feed the Russian war planes.
The Minister for Transport, Clément Beaune, called on Thursday to “shed light” on the accusations against totalnergies, ensuring that it was an “extremely serious subject”.