Examine individual changes

'{{Short description|Dubai-based commodity trader}} {{Infobox company | name = 2Rivers | logo = 2Rivers.jpg | type = [[Privately held company|Private]] | industry = {{Unbulleted list|[[Commodity market|Commodity]]|[[Petroleum industry|Oil & Gas]]}} | foundation = {{start date and age|2010}} | founder = Tahir Garayev | location = [[Dubai]], [[UAE]] | locations = 3 | area_served = Worldwide | key_people = | services = {{Unbulleted list|[[Energy Commodities Trading]]}} | owner = Management Owned Company | num_employees = 120+ | homepage = {{URL|2rivers-group.com}} }} 2Rivers Group is a dynamic leader in the global energy market, specializing in the trading and distribution of liquid hydrocarbons, petrochemicals, dry bulk commodities, and biofuels. The company serves a broad portfolio of clients across multiple continents, guided by a deep commitment to operational excellence at every stage of business. The mission of 2Rivers is to deliver reliable energy solutions with focus on reliability, sustainability and innovation. The experienced professionals  make sure that the company's clients can count on 2Rivers for efficient, dependable service that meets their needs in an ever-evolving industry. 2Rivers responsibly sources products essential for global industries and economies, from a diversity of suppliers across MENA, meeting required quality standards and specific needs of clients worldwide. == History == 2Rivers is a result of the successful completion of a management buyout (MBO). This crucial transformation is a significant milestone ushering in a new era of leadership under seasoned and reputable industry professionals while reinforcing the company’s commitment to integrity, transparency, and operational excellence. Building on a solid foundation of 15 years in the commodities trading industry, 2Rivers has evolved from its origins as a small, niche, oil and petroleum products family start-up into a financially robust management-owned multiregional trading organization dealing in a wide range of energy commodities, underpinned by sound corporate governance. 2Rivers, through the recent strategic transition, underscores its continued role as a responsible and trustworthy player in the energy commodities trading sector. == Trading == 2Rivers is involved in the global crude oil and product trading business. The company trades a number of oil and oil-derived products including: [[coal]], [[natural gas]], [[ethanol]], [[fuel oil]], VGO, [[bitumen]], [[Oil refinery|middle distillates]], and [[naphtha]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-16 |title=Coral Energy |url=https://coralenergy-group.com/ |access-date=2024-10-14 |language=en-US}}</ref> In August 2022, Coral Energy became [[Pakistan]]'s top fuel oil supplier.<ref name=":8">{{Cite web |date=2022-08-03 |title=UAE's Coral Energy becomes Pakistan's top fuel oil supplier - data |website=[[Reuters]] |url=https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/uaes-coral-energy-becomes-pakistans-top-fuel-oil-supplier-data-2022-08-03/ |access-date=2024-10-16}}</ref> === Delivery of Rosneft products to Ukraine === At the beginning of 2021, Coral Energy replaced Proton Energy Group S.A. as the supplier of [[Rosneft]] products to Ukraine. Rosneft had previously contracted with Geneva-based Proton Energy, a company associated with [[Viktor Medvedchuk]], an exiled Ukrainian oligarch who was a key supporter of [[Viktor Yanukovych]], and [[Mikalai Varabei]] (also known as Nicolay Vorobei), to transport these exports to Ukraine via pipeline; however, Proton Energy terminated its trading operations in 2021 due increased risk of sanctions.<ref name="epravda">{{cite web|url=https://www.epravda.com.ua/news/2021/03/22/672184/|title=Україна знайшла нового постачальника продукції "Роснефти" – ЗМІ|publisher=[[Ukrainska Pravda]]|website=epravda.com|date=2021-03-22}}</ref> The US government sanctioned Varabei in August 2021 for aiding the [[Alexander Lukashenko|Belarusian regime]] through his oil trading business in [[Belarus]] and Medvedchuk in 2014 for his ties to former Ukrainian president Viktor Yanukovych. The EU sanctioned Varabei in December 2020 and Medvedchuk in May 2024. The operator of 2Rivers/Coral Energy Group in Ukraine is Alpen Trade, a company that Tahir Garayev founded in 2016. Together with the State Register of the Russian Federation, the authority of Alpen Trade, Safarov Javid Mursal Ogli is the current director.<ref name="epravda"/> In addition to taking over Medvedchuk’s Rosneft contract into Ukraine, 2Rivers also acquired the Latvian B.L.B. Baltijas Terminal.<ref name="latvia">{{cite web|url=https://en.rebaltica.lv/2022/01/behind-the-sanctions-how-an-estonian-latvian-conglomerate-benefits-from-record-trade-with-the-lukashenko-regime/|title=Behind the Sanctions: How an Estonian-Latvian Conglomerate Benefits from Record Trade with the Lukashenko Regime|website=en.rebaltica.lv|author=Holger Roonemaa, Sanita Jemberga, Alexander Yaroshevich, Raimo Poom|date=2022-01-30}}</ref> [[Cyprus]]-based Lostrita Investments is the beneficial owner of [[Latvia]]-based Venta Energy Services SIA. Venta Energy Services, which operates the B.L.B. Baltijas Terminal, is owned by Kamran Asgarov. 2Rivers’ controls the Latvia-based oil export terminal through an associated partnership, Venta Energy Services.<ref name="latvia"/> Asgarov, as well as 2Rivers executives Ahmad Kerimov and Talat Safarov are listed as officers of Lostrita Investments. Separately, in 2022, [[Ivano-Frankivsk]] city court froze assets belonging to both 2Rivers/Coral Energy and its subsidiary Apeiron Energy after they were found to have illegally imported jet fuel into Ukraine from Russia (Case № 344/7508/22). === Russian oil trading === When [[Trafigura]] wound down its relationship with [[Rosneft]] in 2022, Rosneft asked Coral Energy to take Trafigura's place.<ref name="wsj">{{cite web |author=Joe Wallace, Anna Hirtenstein, Costas Paris |date=2024-02-19 |title=The Secret Oil-Trading Ring That Funds Russia’s War |url=https://www.wsj.com/business/energy-oil/russia-oil-trading-secret-network-sanctions-fc3981b7 |website=wsj.com |publisher=[[The Wall Street Journal]]}}</ref> In July 2022, Coral Energy outbid China's [[Sinopec]] for the purchase of Russian Eastern Siberia–Pacific Ocean '''('''ESPO) crude oil cargoes.<ref name=":8" /> In December 2022, Coral Energy bought 121,000 barrels of Russian crude oil a day from [[Surgutneftegas]].<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-21 |title=New Kings of Russian Oil Were These Six Traders in December |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-03-21/new-kings-of-russian-oil-were-these-six-traders-in-december |access-date=2024-10-14 |work=Bloomberg.com |language=en}}</ref> In April 2023, Coral Energy were linked to the use of [[Shadow fleet]] vessels.<ref name=":7">{{Cite web |date=2023-04-05 |title=Lloyd's List Daily Briefing - 5th April 2023 |url=https://www.lloydslist.com/-/media/lloyds-list/daily-pdf/2023/04-april/dailypdf050423.pdf |access-date=2024-10-14 |ref=Lloyds}}</ref> In November 2023, it was reported that Coral Energy were re-selling Russian oil in several countries across [[Sub-Saharan Africa]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-16 |title=Africa : From Dubai to Cape Town, upstart trader Coral Energy rolls out African offensive - 20/11/2023 |url=https://www.africaintelligence.com/the-continent/2023/11/20/from-dubai-to-cape-town-upstart-trader-coral-energy-rolls-out-african-offensive,110099139-ge0 |access-date=2024-10-16 |website=Africa Intelligence |language=en}}</ref> In March 2024, Etibar Eyyub, together with his partner Tahir Garayev, were reported to be the traders of 80% of all Russian oil exports, including Rosneft's.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2024-03-01 |title=Death of Ivan Sechin: A Geopolitical Mystery? |url=https://whalehunting.projectbrazen.com/death-of-sechin-a-geopolitical-mystery/ |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=Whale Hunting |language=en}}</ref> === Refineries and future production === In 2022, following the invasion of Ukraine by Russia, Trafigura sold its 10% share in the Vostok oil project to Etibar Eyyub and his company Nord Axis.<ref name="wsj"/><ref>{{Cite web |last=Abebe |first=Agathe Duparc, Robert Bachmann and Manuel |title=Russian oil trade in Switzerland: a fake farewell? |url=https://www.publiceye.ch/en/topics/ukraine/commodity-trading-with-russia/russian-oil-trade-in-switzerland-a-fake-farewell |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=www.publiceye.ch |language=en-US}}</ref> It was reported in 2023 that Coral Energy was assigned a prepayment and off take agreement with [[Nayara Energy]] refinery in India (which was 49% owned by Rosneft), that was originally established by Bellatrix Energy.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |title=Russia's sanctions-dodging is getting ever more sophisticated |url=https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2023/03/02/russias-sanctions-dodging-is-getting-ever-more-sophisticated |access-date=2024-10-14 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}}</ref> == Sanctions == In October 2024, it was reported that the [[Office of Foreign Assets Control]] were investigating 2Rivers for breaching sanctions relating to the [[Russian oil price cap]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-10-15 |title=Africa : Dubai traders Coral Energy and Demex in Washington's sights over sale of Russian oil |url=https://www.africaintelligence.com/the-continent/2024/10/14/dubai-traders-coral-energy-and-demex-in-washington-s-sights-over-sale-of-russian-oil,110326778-eve |access-date=2024-10-15 |website=Africa Intelligence |language=en}}</ref> Tahir Garayev is sanctioned by the [[National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=1980-01-13 |title=Haraiev Takhir Hadir Ohly |url=https://www.opensanctions.org/entities/NK-Y3fy24EuQ72vA9z8i6PSev/ |access-date=2024-10-14 |website=OpenSanctions.org |language=en}}</ref> Despite the management buyout, it was reported in September 2024, that Tahir Garayev continues to control 2Rivers.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web |date=2024-09-23 |title=Coral Energy ta kompaniya hto dopomagaye rosiji obhoditi sankci |url=https://www.unian.ua/economics/other/coral-energy-ta-kompaniya-hto-dopomagaye-rosiji-obhoditi-sankciji-12766224.html |access-date=2024-10-14}}</ref> == References == == External links == * {{official website|https://2rivers-group.com/}} [[Category:Oil and gas companies]] [[Category:Oil traders]]'