By Timothy Gardner

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Dozens of U.S. Representatives from each political events urged the Biden administration to toughen sanctions on Russian oil shipments and questioned an exception issued to the world’s largest oilfield firm SLB to function within the nation.

Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, the U.S. and European international locations have sought to chop Moscow’s vitality income for preventing the conflict by sanctions. That prompted a number of oilfield service firms to depart Russia however SLB has remained working within the nation, serving to preserve Russian oil manufacturing flowing.

The 52 lawmakers, together with Democratic Representatives Jake Auchincloss and Lloyd Doggett and Republican Consultant Brian Fitzpatrick, mentioned that because the invasion in February 2022, SLB has signed new contracts, recruited lots of of employees, and imported almost $18 million in tools into Russia.

“This U.S.-based company is keeping (Russian President) Vladimir Putin’s war machine well-oiled with financing for 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 lawmakers mentioned in a letter to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

The departments of Treasury and State didn’t instantly reply to requests for remark. SLB didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark.

The lawmakers mentioned President Joe Biden’s administration has pointed to a Treasury Division normal license that authorizes U.S. individuals to course of energy-related transactions that includes sure sanctioned Russian monetary establishments.

“We are cognizant of the arguments often cited that

Russian oil provides a critical and irreplaceable segment of the global oil supply,” the lawmakers mentioned. “However, allowing Russia to benefit from Western technology and expertise only increases the resiliency of their oil and gas sector against Western sanctions and prolongs its ability to finance its illegal offensive.”

In Might, Assistant Secretary of State Geoffrey Pyatt advised Reuters that SLB had not violated sanctions towards Russia.

SLB final yr acquired 5% of its income from Russia. It had 10,000 workers in Russia serving to vitality corporations pump oil and fuel when the conflict started in 2022.