- Eni joins Shell and BP in halting Russian oil purchases
- Move comes after US bans imports and Europe seeks phase out
- Eni says will honor decisions of European and Italian institutions
Italian energy major Eni has suspended all new purchases of oil and oil products from Russia, according to a statement sent March 10 to S&P Global Commodity Insights.
Eni halts oil purchase
“Eni has suspended the stipulation of new contracts related to the procurement of oil and oil products from Russia,” said the emailed statement. “In any case, Eni will fully honor every decision to be taken by the European and Italian institutions.”
The company is following steps being taken by other oil majors to distance themselves from Russia. Shell and BP said March 8 that they would stop all spot purchases of Russian oil and products.
This came as the US announced an embargo on Russian oil imports and the UK said it would phase out supplies by the end of 2022.
Oil companies cut ties with Russia
Before the war in Ukraine, Russia accounted for some 30% of European crude imports and supplied around 40% of the bloc’s natural gas. The UK government has been among those encouraging oil and gas companies to cut Russian ties since the invasion of Ukraine began Feb. 24.
Europe is the biggest export market for Russian oil, consuming 2.7 million b/d of crude and a further 1 million b/d of oil feedstocks and unfinished products, according to S&P Global.
S&P Global estimates that as much as 1 million-2 million b/d of Russian oil production could be shut in amid fears of energy sanctions being imposed, limited access to credit for Russian deals, and escalating shipping and cargo insurance costs.
Eni’s move also comes after the European Commission unveiled March 8 new energy-security proposals that seek to reduce European demand for Russian gas by two-thirds by the end of 2022 and to make Europe independent from Russian fossil fuels “well before 2030.”
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Source: Platts
