On August 20, 2019, John Wood Group plc, an international energy services company based in Scotland, stated in its half-year results report that it had received voluntary requests for information from the US Securities and Exchange Commission and the US Department of Justice in connection with an investigation into Amec Foster Wheeler (AFW) and its legacy companies, focused on the companies’ relationship to Unaoil and their use of agents and other business counterparties in several jurisdictions. AFW was acquired by Wood in March 2017. The SFO opened an investigation into AFW in July 2017 following that company’s disclosure of Unaoil-related information. Wood indicated the group is cooperating with the SFO’s investigation, and that information about the investigation has been reported to enforcement authorities in Brazil.
At the same time, following an internal investigation, the Wood Group informed the Serious Fraud Office that a legacy Wood Group joint venture had engaged Unaoil, and had made payments to Unaoil under agency agreements. The Wood Group reported that the UK Serious Fraud Office and the Scottish Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service have agreed that the latter (COPFS) shall have jurisdiction over the investigation into the group’s legacy dealings with Unaoil. Wood added that it has taken steps to conclude its investigations, and intends to cooperate with COPFS. The company indicated that investigation support costs of $8.8m were incurred during the reporting period in relation to the investigations.