Kazakh Oil and Gas Minister Sauat Mynbayev hopes the government’s drawn-out battle with the foreign operators of the giant Karachaganak field will be resolved in the first half of this year. The third phase of the field’s development has been held up by the long-running feud, which has seen the government’s bid to acquire equity in the project come up against strong resistance from Karachaganak Petroleum Operating Co. (KPO). The BG and Eni-led consortium members are seeking to reclaim export duties and are determined not to let the Kazakhs force their way into Karachaganak for free, despite facing a host of tax probes.
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