Total seeks to avoid oil from sanctioned Russian tycoon Gutseriyev – traders – Reuters

Total seeks to avoid oil from sanctioned Russian tycoon Gutseriyev – traders – Reuters

MOSCOW, June 23 (Reuters) - TotalEnergies SE (TOTF.PA) has asked commodity pricing agency S&P Global Platts to avoid buying oil from Russian businessman Mikhail Gutseriyev as European energy firms and trading houses seek clarification from the EU after it slapped him with sanctions, traders said.

The European Union included Gutseriyev, the largest single foreign investor in Belarus, in sanctions announced on Monday in response to the forced landing of a passenger plane in Minsk on May 23 to arrest a journalist. It has blacklisted Belarus transport, defence and air traffic officials as part of coordinated action with the United States, Canada and Britain. read more

Gutseriyev is a major owner and founder of Safmar Holding, the management company for Russian oil producers Russneft (RNFT.MM) and Neftisa as well as refining companies Forteinvest and Adamas, according to data on the company's website.