Russian oil major ExxonMobil is seeking permission from the US
Treasury Department to resume drilling around the Black Sea with Russian
state oil giant Rosneft, AP reported, citing a person familiar with the
matter.
Formerly run by US Secretary of State
Rex Tillerson,
ExxonMobil’s request is being reviewed by the Trump Administration, the
news agency reported, adding that the drilling venture was blocked when
the US imposed sanctions on Russia in 2014, following its annexation of
Crimea. Exxon applied to the Treasury Department for a waiver from the
sanctions in 2015, during the Obama administration, according to the
person. Exxon has publicly disclosed licenses for other work in Russia
that required waivers.
Earlier, the Wall Street Journal cited “people familiar with the
matter,” who remain anonymous that ExxonMobil has applied for a waiver
from US sanctions against Russia to keep a claim to Black Sea oil
exploration rights negotiated in 2012. It is unclear whether Exxon filed
the claim with the Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets
Control before President
Donald Trump appointed Tillerson secretary of state, the WSJ said.
AP quoted a State Department spokesman as saying Tillerson has
recused himself from any matters involving Exxon for two years and is
not involved with any decision involving the company before any
government agency.
In 2012, Tillerson negotiated a deal with Russia’s oil and gas giant
Rosneft worth as much as $500 billion in joint investments, to explore
deposits in the Black Sea, the Arctic and Russia’s Far East.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Exxon is asking for a sanctions
waiver because its exploration rights in the Black Sea will soon expire
if the company does not act.
https://www.neweurope.eu/article/exxonmobil-reportedly-seeks-us-consent-resume-project-russia/