Summary

Petitioner Vitol, Inc. ("Vitol") seeks an order compelling Respondent Copape Produtos de Petróleo Ltda. ("Copape") to arbitrate a dispute regarding the purchase and shipment of certain oil-related products to Brazil. Vitol entered into contracts with two other entities-Basoli Comércio, Importação e Exportação Ltda. ("Basoli") and Terra Nova Trading Ltda. ("Terra Nova")-for the shipment of those products. Although Copape was not a signatory of those agreements, Vitol seeks to hold Copape to the agreements' arbitration clauses. Because the undisputed facts show that Copape directly benefitted from Vitol's agreements with Terra Nova and Basoli, Copape is estopped from refusing to be bound by the arbitration clauses contained therein. Accordingly, Copape is ordered to submit to arbitration with Vitol, and Copape's cross motion to dismiss this action is denied.