As the Russian war in Ukraine continues, the United States Oil major, Exxon Mobil Corp is considering a complete withdrawal from the country by June 24, in line with its earlier decision to exit all operations in the country.
Although Exxon Mobil has not provided a timetable for the withdrawal, its removal last month, of employees who are U.S. citizens from Russia after Moscow launched what it calls its special military operation in Ukraine gave an indication.
The Oil company’s decision follows dozens of other Western companies including Apple, Boeing, BP, Shell, and Equinor – that have halted business or announced plans to abandon their Russia operations.
Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24 and its action has been met with a series of sanctions from Europe and America. The Russian action has also triggered a severe global food crisis, especially grain supplies for which Russia and Ukraine are noted.
The first departures included staff from its large oil and gas production operations on Sakhalin Island in Russia’s the Far East, including the Sakhalin 1 project.
“As we announced March 1, we are discontinuing operations and taking steps to exit the Sakhalin-1 venture,” Exxon spokesperson Casey Norton said in a written statement.
Exxon last year employed more than 1,000 people across Russia, with offices in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Yekaterinburg and Yuzhno-Sakhalinst, according to its website.
Exxon has also significantly phased down its chemical and lubricant businesses in Russia, and limited sales to existing contractual commitments and essential products used in applications such as food preservation, agriculture and hygiene, the spokesperson said.
The company said it is complying with all sanctions imposed against Russia.
Comments are closed.