A Kazakh appellate court has sided with the international oil majors operating the Kashagan oilfield, overturning a massive $4.2 billion environmental fine over sulfur storage practices.
The North Caspian Operating Company (NCOC)—a consortium that includes Eni, Shell, ExxonMobil, and TotalEnergies—hailed the decision as confirmation that their sulfur handling meets both Kazakh legal requirements and global industry standards.
The dispute stemmed from Kazakhstan’s claim that NCOC had improperly stored sulfur byproducts at the $55 billion Kashagan project, one of the most technically challenging and delay-ridden oil developments in the world. Authorities had originally sought 2.3 trillion tenge (about $5.1 billion at the time) in penalties, citing environmental violations.
This win is just one front in a broader standoff. Kazakhstan has also taken the consortium to international arbitration over a jaw-dropping $160 billion in alleged damages—mostly tied to what it claims are lost revenues, but also including accusations of environmental harm and questionable contract dealings.
In an attempt to resolve the sulfur dispute last year, the venture partners offered to invest $110 million in local social projects over two years—an amount they expected to recoup under the production-sharing agreement. They also floated additional payments tied to LPG supply and the creation of a new social development fund.
For now, though, the courtroom victory may slow the tide of pressure from Astana. Whether it cools the broader legal fight is another question entirely.
The Kazakh energy and environmental ministries have yet to comment on the ruling.
By Julianne Geiger for Oilprice.com
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