Oil & Gas Buyer Protection Protocol by Ametheus Holdings Pvt ltd

Diesel EN590 · Jet A-1 · No upfront fees · No paper games

1. Instant walk-away triggers

If the counterparty refuses any of the following, the file is closed. No debate, no “industry custom” exception.

2. Classic SOP language that means the deal is a scam

The following clauses appear, almost verbatim, in fake seller SOPs. If even one is present, do not proceed. Brokers invent new variants every week; the pattern is the same: buyer pays for paper before product is proven.

1. DTA to be endorsed with a tank farm before the physical dip test in the seller’s tank — at the buyer’s cost.
2. TTTIA / TTVIA signed before the physical dip test — at the buyer’s cost.
3. Seller pays 3 days tank; buyer then pays 2 days to “complete 5-day TSR for injection.”
4. Injection Programming Agreement signed before the physical dip test — at the buyer’s cost.
5. Partial POP issued as an ATV “authorising verification by email or phone call.”
6. Guarantee letter for tank-storage extension / default “within 7 banking days.”
7. SGS copy sent only to the seller’s tank-farm office; buyer must pay TSR after an “invitation letter” to a seller-nominated logistics firm.
8. Seller recommends their own tank farm as the only place to obtain a TSA.
9. TTO fees demanded while the vessel is still in OPL / on passage.
10. Claim that a bank MT799 is “proof of product.” It is not. An MT799 is a free-format message, not title, not Q&Q, not possession.
11. Any advance, “commitment,” or fee justified by an MT799.
12. Seller will not allow direct contact with the terminal, inspector, or vessel master; no loading photos, no inspectable Q&Q.
13. Unverifiable buyer, seller, or “bank.” If the name cannot be confirmed at the terminal and the company registry, stop.

Blacklist reference for storage spoofing: https://www.ferm-rotterdam.nl/en/blacklist/

3. How Ametheus actually works

These rules apply to fuel purchases handled by Ametheus (EN590, Jet A-1 and related grades). They are not “industry folklore.” They are the only procedure we will sign.

3.1 No payment for paper before product

The buyer or the buyer’s nominated shipping agent does not pay to sign or endorse TTVIA, DTA, ATV, TTVA, safety insurance, dip-test access, or any similar instrument until:

• product availability is independently verified; and
• a dip test on-spec for the contracted grade (e.g. EN590 10 ppm) is in hand from SGS, Saybolt or Intertek.

3.2 “Port authority will fine us” is not a reason

A statement that the logistics company “cannot sign TTVIA / DTA without buyer payment because the port will fine them” is false. Port authorities do not police private tank-paper between buyer and seller. That line is used to extract a fee before the product exists.

3.3 Commitment fees are not industry standard

TSR payment or part-CPA as a “commitment fee before endorsement” is a scam signal. A tank operator that promises a 100% refund “if unused” but will not endorse a single document without cash first is not a tank operator. Close the file.

3.4 Dip test — only DTA, only the inspector’s invoice

A dip test requires a DTA. It does not require the buyer’s logistics company to endorse anything. Terminal access is obtained through the seller’s tank farm at no charge to the buyer. The only legitimate cost is the inspector (SGS / Saybolt / Intertek). The Q&Q report is sent directly to the buyer — never routed through the seller’s “logistics partner.” Commercial invoice is signed by the buyer only; the buyer’s tank is not engaged for this step.

3.5 Tank storage is not extended before the dip

TSR is not issued before the dip test. Tanks are not extended “individually or mutually” to manufacture a five-day story. Physical ATV, if required, is unconditional and free on the seller’s side. No refinery issues a free physical ATV to a stranger; if a reseller wants the buyer inside the tank, the reseller pays the extension. Buyer does not.

3.6 Who extends the tank for the buyer’s inspector

The seller extends the tank for three days and puts terminal access in a form that lets the buyer instruct SGS / Intertek. The buyer does not pay that extension and does not send an inspector until product in tank is first verified on paper that can be checked with the terminal.

3.7 Documents that are not from @ametheus.com are not ours

ICPO, CI, SPA or any other instrument that is not issued from, or confirmed by, an @ametheus.com mailbox is unauthorised. Treat it as forged.

3.8 What an offer must contain before we look at it

Quantity, price, load / discharge ports, and a procedure with zero hidden fees. Incomplete offers and “I am close to the seller, trust me” messages are not offers. We work with principals and mandated partners. We do not work with messengers.

4. Contact

[email protected]

www.ametheus.com

Disclaimer

Ametheus does not accept or source fuel or petroleum products from any sanctioned country or sanctioned person. This protocol is a statement of our trading practice. It is not legal advice and does not create an obligation to entertain any particular offer.