Paris-based TotalEnergies SE agreed to sell its 49% interest in a Siberian natural gas field to Russian partner PAO Novatek. The sale followed reports that the gas project produced fuel for Russian military aircraft used to advance the Kremlin’s invasion of Ukraine.

TotalEnergies

The French energy giant said Friday it expects the sale of its stake in the joint venture operating the Termokarstovoye gas field to close in September. TotalEnergies still owns 19.4% of Novatek along with other significant holdings in Russia. Novatek is not state-owned.

TotalEnergies had as recently as last week defended the Termokarstovoye project as part of its commitment to help ensure energy security for Europe at a time when supplies of both oil and gas on the continent are precarious.  

Unlike most of its...