More than 50 members of Congress have signed a letter urging the U.S. government to strengthen sanctions against Russian oil and to reassess an exemption that permits the U.S.-based oil-services company Schlumberger (SLB) to continue its operations in Russia.
Representatives Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas) and Jake Auchincloss (D-Massachusetts) spearheaded the initiative, which culminated in a letter sent on October 21. The lawmakers contend that the exemption allows Schlumberger to act as “an accomplice to Vladimir Putin,” as stated in a release from Doggett’s office.
The letter, signed by 52 lawmakers and addressed to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, highlights that since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Schlumberger has entered into new contracts, hired hundreds of employees, and imported nearly $18 million worth of equipment into the country.
“This U.S.-based company is keeping Putin’s war machine well-oiled by financing the barbaric invasion of Ukraine. We urge you to continue supporting our Ukrainian allies by pursuing more rigorous oil sanctions to effectively restrict Putin’s profits,” the letter emphasizes.
Auchincloss noted that oil is the lifeblood of the Russian war economy, underscoring the need for Western nations to tighten oil sanctions. “That begins by holding SLB and its collaborators accountable for evading allied sanctions, profiteering from pain, and fueling Putin’s ability to wage war,” he stated in the release.
Since the conflict began, the United States and Europe have implemented sanctions aimed at curbing Moscow’s energy revenue, leading many oil-field-service companies to withdraw from Russia. However, Schlumberger has chosen to remain operational.
The lawmakers acknowledge that Russian oil constitutes a critical segment of the global supply but argue that allowing Russia to benefit from Western technology and expertise enhances the resilience of its oil and gas sector against sanctions, thus prolonging its capacity to finance its illegal activities.
In response, the U.S. Treasury Department reiterated its commitment to using all available tools to diminish the Kremlin’s revenues and hinder Russia’s military operations. A spokesperson quoted by Reuters affirmed that “U.S. firms are prevented from making any new investments in Russia, and we plan to enforce all our sanctions against companies within our jurisdiction.”
Schlumberger has not yet responded to a request for comment from RFE/RL.
Related topic:
Peak Oil Debate: Supply vs. Demand
