Aberdeen energy firm pays £569,000 for Russia sanctions breach

An Aberdeen energy services firm has paid more than £569,157 to HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for breaching Russia sanctions regulations.

Petrofac Facilities Management Limited (PFML) made a "compound settlement" - which avoids the need for court action - for breaches in 2022 and 2023 while the company was winding down its Russian operations.

PFML supplied sanctioned industrial goods to individuals connected to Russia and provided technical assistance relating to those goods, according to HMRC.

It is the first company to be publicly named by the UK government's tax department for accepting such a penalty.

HMRC said PFML self-reported the breaches and fully co-operated with the investigation.

It added that naming the company marks a shift in how HMRC handles compound settlements in relation to strategic exports and sanction offences.

Edwige Hill, deputy director in HMRC's fraud investigation service, said: "Non-compliance with Russia sanctions is a serious offence and together with our international partners, the UK government has implemented the most severe package of sanctions ever imposed on a major economy.

"Naming those involved brings us into line with other enforcement partners while sending a clear message on the consequence of breaching sanctions rules."