The American Petroleum Institute (API) successfully lobbied for an end to the 40-year ban on exporting U.S.-produced crude oil in part by making a geopolitical argument: Iran and Russia have the ability to export their oil, so why not unleash America?

What API never mentioned — nor the politicians parroting its talking points — is that many of its member companies maintain ongoing business ties with both Russia and Iran.

And The Vitol Group, the first company set to export U.S. crude after the lifting of the ban (in a tanker destined for Switzerland), has or had its own ties to both U.S. geopolitical rivals.

In short, The Vitol Group is the most powerful oil and gas company you've likely never heard of, and one the Telegraph (UK) said “pulls the levers of the global economy.”

“The Vitol Group is an energy and commodities company,” says its website. “Physical trading, logistics and distribution are at the core of the business, but are complemented by refining, shipping, terminals, exploration and production, power generation, mining and retail businesses.”

Vitol makes an appearance in CNBC reporter Kate Kelly's book, “The Secret Club that Runs the World: Inside the Fraternity of Commodity Traders.”

As The Telegraph described, Vitol's reach goes far beyond just oil and gas. 

“Crude oil, diesel, aviation fuel, benzene, alumina, bitumen, ethanol, methanol, coal, iron ore, liquid natural gas, sugar, maize, wheat, rice, soybeans and rapeseed,” they wrote.

“Vitol continually ships thousands of tonnes of nearly every major commodity and raw material around the planet…Simply put, Vitol is one of the biggest trading companies on the planet.”

Vitol is the ninth biggest company in the world by revenue, sitting only behind the likes of BP, ExxonMobil, Walmart, Saudi Aramco, Shell and Sinopec.  And it's willing to do business with just about anyone, including but not limited to Russia and Iran.

read more: http://www.desmogblog.com/2015/12/29/crude-oil-exports-iran-russia-vitol-group