Eric Watkins
Senior Correspondent
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 29 -- Chad President Idriss Déby Itno Aug. 29 said his country must have a 60% share in the country's oil production, and that the two foreign oil companies he ordered to leave the country, Chevron Corp. and Petronas, must pay what they owe to the public treasury. His government earlier said the two companies have failed to pay taxes totaling about $450 million (OGJ Online, Aug. 28, 2006).
On Aug. 29 Chevron confirmed it had been asked by Chad to halt its operations for not paying taxes, but said it had already met all of its tax obligations to the country. Petronas said it is seeking information from all parties in Chad after the government there ordered its departure.
Chevron and Petronas together hold 60% of a pipeline consortium in Chad, with ExxonMobil Corp. holding the remaining 40%. ExxonMobil said Aug. 29 that its operations in Chad haven't been affected by the dispute, and Déby said Chad would continue working with ExxonMobil.
Meanwhile, Déby has replaced three government ministers involved in a deal to allow foreign oil firms to extract Chad's oil resources. Emmanuel Nadingar was appointed oil minister, while Rakis Manany was brought in to head the farming ministry. Abbas Mahamat Tolli, meanwhile, acquired the economy portfolio in addition to his job as finance minister.
Contact Eric Watkins at [email protected].