Market Chatter: Kazakhstan Kashagan Oil Field Operator Assets Frozen Over $5 Billion Fine
Kazakhstan has frozen the assets of the joint-venture operator of the Kashagan oilfield over a $5 billion environmental fine which the company has disputed, Reuters reported on Monday.The July 21 freeze of the company's property and vehicles of North Caspian Operating was published on the database of the Ministry of Justice, the article said. NCOC is a joint venture between Shell (SHEL), TotalEnergies (TTE), ExxonMobil (XOM) and China's CNPC.The Central Asian country may enforce a 2.3 trillion Kazakhstani tenge ($4.84 billion) fine imposed on NCOC related to breaches of sulphur storage limits while it has said the head of the company could face criminal prosecution.NCOC and associated contractors have rejected the fine and the accusations and the case has now been brought before international arbitrators, the article said.None of the companies responded immediately to Reuters' request for comment.has reached out to the companies seeking comment.(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)