Downstream Oil Theft

Downstream oil theft poses a significant threat to local and regional prosperity, as well as to global stability and security. In 2016, the Atlantic Council Global Energy Center published the first comprehensive study on downstream oil theft, launching a body of work on this important topic. Led by Global Energy Center Senior Fellow Ian Ralby, this initiative seeks to identify and assess the various ways oil theft occurs and provide recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders to combat oil theft moving forward.

New report

Report

May 16, 2020

Downstream oil theft: Countermeasures and good practices

By Dr. David Soud with contributing authors Dr. Ian Ralby and Rohini Ralby

Downstream oil theft has become a global problem. Since most of the world’s energy systems still rely on oil, fuel smugglers are nearly always able to find markets for their goods. Moreover, as oil is not inherently illegal, it is generally an easy product to move, buy, and sell. Profits from oil theft are frequently used to fund terrorism and other illegal activities.

Energy & Environment Energy Markets & Governance

Featured commentary & analysis

The Downstream Oil Theft initiative provides timely commentary and analysis on the significant threats that downstream oil theft poses to local and regional prosperity around the world.

EnergySource Mar 20, 2019

Defining the invisible supply chain

By Dr. Ian Ralby, Dr. David Soud, and Rohini Ralby

This post is the first in a series of three that will focus on 1) defining, 2) mapping, and 3) addressing the invisible supply chain. In 2014, the Wall Street Journal published a story detailing how the Saltpond Oil Field off the coast of Ghana was exporting as much as five times the crude oil […]

Oil and Gas

Timely Commentary & Analysis Mar 28, 2019

Mapping the invisible supply chain

By Dr. Ian Ralby, Dr. David Soud, and Rohini Ralby

This post is the second in a series of three that will focus on 1) defining, 2) mapping, and 3) addressing the invisible supply chain. You can read the first post here. In the autumn of 2017, Italian authorities busted a lucrative smuggling ring that was bringing hundreds of millions of liters of stolen Libyan […]

Energy & Environment Oil and Gas

EnergySource Apr 8, 2019

Addressing the invisible supply chain

By Dr. Ian Ralby, Dr. David Soud, and Rohini Ralby

This post is the third in a series of three that focuses on 1) defining, 2) mapping, and 3) addressing the invisible supply chain. You can read the first and second posts here. Criminals have the advantage of being agile. They are unencumbered by the constraints that impede the governments and institutions arrayed against them. A criminal […]

Oil and Gas

Featured in-depth research & reports

The Downstream Oil Theft initiative produces in-depth research and reports to identify and assess the various ways oil theft occurs and provide recommendations for policymakers and stakeholders to combat oil theft moving forward.

Report Apr 10, 2018

Oil on the water: Illicit hydrocarbons activity in the maritime domain

By Dr. Ian Ralby and Dr. David Soud

Oil and fuel theft is a significant global phenomenon, accounting for tens, if not hundreds, of billions of dollars annually. It typically takes place in the maritime domain, as oil tankers account for a fourth of global trade and law enforcement control over maritime spaces is often lacking.

Energy & Environment Oil and Gas

Global Energy Forum Mar 20, 2017

Downstream oil theft: Implications and next steps

By Dr. Ian M. Ralby

On January 13, 2017, the Atlantic Council launched a major study on downstream oil theft at its inaugural Global Energy Forum in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Downstream Oil Theft: Implications and Next Steps draws on the launch event to examine the implications of the study’s findings and to suggest tangible next steps in both further investigating this global scourge and beginning to confront it effectively.

Energy & Environment Oil and Gas

Global Energy Forum Jan 6, 2017

Downstream oil theft: Global modalities, trends, and remedies

By Ian M. Ralby

Hydrocarbons crime, in all its forms, has become a significant threat not only to local and regional prosperity but also to global stability and security. Combating this pervasive criminal activity is made only more difficult by the reality that many of those in a position to curb hydrocarbons crime are the ones benefiting from it.

Energy & Environment Oil and Gas

Expert

Former fellow

Ian Ralby

Former Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Oil and Gas