Fuel theft in the world: that's how the millionaire company works

The Tula-Tuxpan pipeline was drilled a few kilometers from one of the country's leading refineries. According to the authorities, about 800 people gathered to fill the drums and plastic packaging of the leak, which resulted in the explosion a few hours later.

This type of criminal activity is part of a huge black market in the world. Oil, gas theft, cheating and fraud are estimated to generate around $ 133,000 a year, according to a study conducted at Yale University and broadcast by the BBC.

Case in Morocco

Morocco imports most of the oil and gas it consumes and local gas prices have become one of the highest in North Africa and the Middle East in December, according to the British channel.

In this context, he pointed out that the sale of gasoline and stolen diesel is a common practice in areas near the Algerian border, where one usually sees caravans of donkeys carrying products in plastic drums.

He also noted that in 2013, the Algerian government estimated that the country had lost more than 1,500 million liters of fuel stolen and sold in Morocco and Tunisia.

The situation in Nigeria

Nigeria is one of the largest oil producers in the world. According to a report to which the BBC has subscribed, the Treasury loses US $ 6 billion a year due to oil theft.

In this context, he points out that several explosions have occurred over the last two decades, the largest of which in 1998, during which 700 people died.

At the same time, a 2016 report by the Chatham House think tank estimated that nearly 400,000 barrels of crude were stolen daily in the Gulf, a major fuel transportation route.

Other Mexican cases

The theft of petrol in Mexico is known as "huachicoleo" and fell under the control of organized crime.

According to the British channel, the Mexican authorities consider that the drug cartels participate in the illegal trade, directly or indirectly, by collecting "taxes" on the smallest thieves so that they can carry out their activities on their territory.

The Atlantic Council, an American research center, calculates that in the most sophisticated operations, gasoline can be extracted for 90,000 USD in just seven minutes. Which implies a significant gain, discounting the $ 40 that costs the day of work of a huachicolero.

This is more than double the average daily wage of a worker (18 USD), but much more risky than other jobs, as demonstrated by the explosion of Tlahuelilpan.

The Colombian experience

Although Colombia is not one of the largest oil exporters in the world, crude accounts for 25% of its exports, three times more than coffee.

According to the BBC, the Caño Limón-Coveñas pipeline was attacked more than 60 times in 2018. He also pointed out that, although criminals almost never refine stolen oil, the Army Pegaso Task Force announced in 2017 the discovery of 77 illegal refineries. in one state.

Contraband in Thailand and Singapore

During a police raid in Malaysia in February 2017, three cars were seized at a gas station in Kota Bharu, near the Thai border. The cars had been modified to accommodate secret fuel tanks with a capacity of 500 liters, hidden under the rear seats.

In fact, the 2018 oil and gas flight report estimates that three million liters of fuel are smuggled daily from Malaysia to Thailand.

A 2016 video, which has become viral in Southeast Asia, shows Singapore motorists shaking their vehicles by filling the fuel tank 100% in Malaysia, which is not recommended for safety reasons.

Islamic State in Iraq

The oil industry is very important to the Iraqi economy, but it has been hotly contested over the last 20 years.

An example cited by the BBC is the "oil-for-food" program, which started after the first Gulf War and allowed Iraq to sell crude on the international market in exchange for humanitarian aid, a sown situation. accusations of corruption.

And more recently, Iraq has faced a so-called Islamic State (IS), which controls some oil reserves. In this context, in 2017, experts from the UK King's College pointed out that oil was the second largest source of revenue for the organization. And the insurance company JLT estimated that Iraq loses $ 8 billion a year for oil theft.