
Biden Gas Plan Suffers Setback
Biden alternative cheap gas plan scuppered by allegations of corruption
US President Joe Biden had hailed the $33bn Shah Deniz 2 gas pipeline as the solution to the EU’s dependence on Russian gas, but the plan has woefully backfired with accusations of corruption.
The pipeline running from Azerbaijan to the EU would lessen its dependence on Russia for gas supplies.
BP’s expanded operations on the Caspian Sea bordering Azerbaijan would result in the first commercial gas delivery to Turkey.
But the project is mired in corruption.
Leaked documents revealed by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) state that two Azerbaijan state companies syphoned off $1.7 billion from the Shah Deniz 2 operations by using padded contracts and false charges.
Since 2013, the labourers of a factory run by Bos Shelf, an Azerbaijani state-owned manufacturer of offshore oil and gas infrastructure, have fought against low wages.
The workers released a statement that said: “There is nepotism, landlordism, and gangsterism at the plant. Workers who protest against this injustice are fired.”
Concerns of corruption at their Shah Deniz 2 operations were brought to the attention of BP by both their employees and the former head of Bos Shelf’s administration team, Khuraman Abil.
Abil filed a case in Baku against Bos Shelf for withholding $214,000 of her salary and claimed unfair dismissal after she complained about corruption.
Her case was ruled against her despite damning evidence in the form of a spreadsheet of people’s salaries, and though she appealed the decision through the Azerbaijani judicial system, the Supreme Court also dismissed the case.
Ms Abil said: “How has BP worked [in Azerbaijan] for 30 years? A sane company wouldn’t come here.”
She added: “BP itself turns a blind eye to this.”
BP have not responded to these allegations other than to say any allegations of corruption should be made to its partners and that BP has fulfilled its due diligence obligations.
Source AP/Daily Express
About Post Author
felastory
Share this:
- Click to print (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Telegram (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
- Click to share on Skype (Opens in new window)
- Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
More Stories
Guns or Butter
US President Joe Biden reach tentative deal with Republicans over debt ceiling agreement now awaits congressional approval US President Joe...
Cold Shoulder
US Defence Department complains that Chinese military officers have been ignoring American requests to meet for months The Pentagon’s attempts...
The Blind See and The Lame Walk
US FDA approves Elon Musk's Neuralink brain chip implant for human clinical trials which if successful will restore full body...
Urgent $4T
US Treasury Secretary in letter to Congress now says Washington will run out of cash on June 5 as Democrats...
No Military Solution
Outgoing chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff says Ukraine has no military solution and the F-16s will be...
Pretty Darn Clear
Washington frustrated with Kiev for using US equipment in Belgorod attack after pledging not to do so Washington has once...
Average Rating