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.
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.
Wed, Mar 20, 2019
Defining the invisible supply chain
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 […]
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Thu, Mar 28, 2019
Mapping the invisible supply chain
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 […]
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Mon, Apr 8, 2019
Addressing the invisible supply chain
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 […]
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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.
Tue, Apr 10, 2018
Oil on the water: Illicit hydrocarbons activity in the maritime domain
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.
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Mon, Mar 20, 2017
Downstream oil theft: Implications and next steps
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.
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Fri, Jan 6, 2017
Downstream oil theft: Global modalities, trends, and remedies
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.
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Downstream Oil Theft in the news
Fri, Mar 22, 2019
Ralby Joins NPR to Discuss Stolen Gasoline Smuggling
Listen to the full discussion here
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Fri, Mar 8, 2019
Ralby Joins NPR to Discuss Mexico’s Fight on Fuel Pirates
Listen to the full discussion here
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Fri, Dec 14, 2018
Ralby Quoted in Reuters on Oil Theft at Shell’s Singapore Refinery
Read the full article here
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Mon, May 21, 2018
Ralby Joins Capitol Crude Podcast to Discuss Oil Piracy and Petroleum’s Black Market
Listen to the full discussion here
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Wed, Apr 11, 2018
Ralby Quoted in Oil and Gas Journal on Maritime Oil Crime
Read the full article here
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Mon, Jun 5, 2017
Ralby Quoted by the Daily Tribune on Fuel Marking Plan in the Philippines
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Sun, Jun 4, 2017
Ralby Quoted by Manila Bulletin on Oil Smuggling Costs
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Fri, May 26, 2017
Ralby Quoted in Forbes on Oil Theft and Diversion Problems and Solutions
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Tue, May 23, 2017
Ralby Quoted by Rigzone on Refined Oil Theft
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Fri, May 5, 2017
Ralby Joins PRI’s The World to Discuss the Mexican Fuel Theft Crisis
Listen to the full interview here.
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Tue, May 2, 2017
Ralby Interviewed by the Houston Chronicle on Fuel Theft
Read the full article here.
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Tue, Apr 11, 2017
Oil and Gas Journal Features Atlantic Council Event and Experts Ralby and Morningstar on Oil Production Theft
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Mon, Mar 27, 2017
Ralby Quoted by St. John’s College, Cambridge, News on the Report, Downstream Oil Theft
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Tue, Mar 21, 2017
Ralby in Defence iQ: Cooperative Security to Counter Cooperative Criminals
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Tue, Mar 21, 2017
Ralby Quoted by the Guardian on International Oil Theft
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Fri, Jan 27, 2017
Ralby Quoted by Energy Post on the Theft of Refined Oil Products and the Threat to Global Stability
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