Illegal scheme for stealing oil feedstock from pipelines exposed in four regions

Law enforcement officers together with security specialists from Ukrnafta exposed a large-scale scheme of illegal pipeline tap-ins and thefts of oil feedstock. As part of the investigation, searches were carried out in Kyiv, Chernihiv, Poltava and Sumy regions.

This was reported by Dilo with

reference to a statement by Acting Chairman of the Board of NJSC Naftogaz

of Ukraine Serhiy Fedorenko.

According to him, the searches took place last week.

Law enforcement officers are checking locations where stolen gas

condensate and illegally produced petroleum products made from it could have been stored.

The operation was the result of prolonged work by law enforcement with

the support of the security service of the Naftogaz group.

The investigation is being carried out by the Kyiv Region Police; operational

support is being provided by the Department of Strategic Investigations of the National Police,

and procedural supervision is handled by the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor's Office.

Ukrnafta specialists are also participating in the searches

alongside investigators.

The company said it continues to detect and document

illegal pipeline tap-ins and to hand over the relevant materials

to law enforcement.

The Naftogaz group also expects full compensation

for damages caused by the illegal withdrawal of feedstock.

Recall that in January in the Sumy region law enforcement had already exposed

a group that carried out illegal

tap-ins into an oil pipeline. According to the investigation, the perpetrators could have been stealing up to 10

cubic meters of oil per week and were transporting it to an industrial base for further

sale.