Kazakhstan warns head of Kashagan operator it may prosecute over failure to pay fine
XOM•Potential impact on Kashagan output
It is not clear how a move against NCOC could affect output at Kashagan, which produces around 430,000-450,000 barrels daily and is Kazakhstan's second-largest oil field.
Critics and some international oil majors have accused Kazakhstan of seeking to increase its control over its oil industry via "resource nationalism," an accusation Astana rejects.
($1 = 468.3100 tenge)
NCOC rejects fine as arbitration continues
NCOC and its contractors reject the fine and the allegations behind it, and the case is currently being heard in international arbitration.
The consortium, which includes Shell SHEL.L, Eni ENI.MI, TotalEnergies TTEF.PA, and Exxon Mobil XOM.N, has said that the fine cannot be enforced whilst arbitration is ongoing.
Sulphur is a byproduct of crude oil production and processing, and it should be separated from the crude to improve oil quality.
