Russia

Russia has used divisive and inflammatory posts on social media platforms in an effort to interfere with U.S. energy markets and influence domestic energy policy, according to a report issued Thursday by Lamar Smith (R-TX), chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee.

ExxonMobil Corp. plans to formally withdraw from what were expected to be lucrative Russian oil and gas partnerships because of U.S. sanctions.

In an unusual twist, a cargo of liquefied natural gas (LNG) that originated in Russia is being unloaded from a French ship in the Boston area, even as the Trump administration tightens sanctions against Russia for its actions in neighboring Ukraine.

Secretary of Energy Rick Perry in the last few days was making a pitch to export natural gas to the Middle East, opening up U.S. markets, while Russia is prowling for more customers in Asia and elsewhere with the startup of a massive project in the coldest part of the world.

The United States is “eager” to work with its European allies to develop natural gas and oil infrastructure to help diversify the continent’s energy supply, Secretary of State Rex Tillerson told an audience on Tuesday.

In an effort to curb Russian influence on European energy supplies, the state-owned Polish Oil & Gas Co. (PGNiG) signed a five-year contract for liquefied natural gas (LNG) sources from Cheniere Energy Inc.’s Sabine Pass terminal in Louisiana, with a British company making the cargo deliveries.

ExxonMobil Corp. on Thursday said it would fight a $2 million fine imposed by the U.S. Department of Treasury for potentially violating Russian sanctions dating to 2014 while it was led by Secretary of State Rex Tillerson.

Two key House Republicans asked Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin to investigate allegations that Russia interfered in U.S. energy markets by making millions in contributions to environmental groups opposed to hydraulic fracturing (fracking) in order to sow domestic discord.

A group of Democratic senators is urging President Trump to direct the Department of Energy (DOE) to examine the threats Russian hackers pose to energy infrastructure in the United States, while accusing the administration of failing to respond to a similar request made three months earlier.