It concerns the trade in liquefied natural gas (LNG) from Russia, in which Shell was involved in nearly one in eight cases last year, according to the analysis. Global Witness says only three companies have traded more Russian LNG than Shell, two of which are from Russia: Yamal and Sakhalin Energy. According to the activist organization, Shell has purchased LNG directly or indirectly from these companies.
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The third company that has traded the most gas is TotalEnergies. A lot of TotalEnergies’ LNG ended up at Shell via Yamal, concludes Global Witness. Shortly after war broke out in Ukraine, Shell reported that the group would withdraw from Russia in “phases”. A month later, Shell reported that it had stopped purchasing LNG, but still had “some long-term contractual obligations”.
Dilemma between pressure on Russia or stable energy supply
That message is now also being repeated by a spokesperson, who does not confirm the Global Witness data. “This is in full compliance with sanctions and applicable laws and regulations of the countries in which we operate. We were clear about that,” he added. According to the spokesman, there is also a dilemma between ‘pressuring the Russian government because of its atrocities in Ukraine’ on the one hand and ‘ensuring a stable energy supply’ on the other.