Eric Watkins
Senior Correspondent
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 28 -- Kazakhstan's Deputy Finance Minister Daulet Yergozhin said the ministry is moving forward with tax checks into the Eni SPA-led Agip KCO consortium just days ahead of a Nov. 30 deadline for a deal between the consortium and the government on the Kashagan oil field.
"We have questions," Yergozhin said. "We will expect answers to our inquiries over the next few days." He said the ministry will be ready to present a tax claim against Agip-KCO before yearend.
Yergozhin's statement followed recent reports of progress in talks between the government and the Agip-KCO consortium.
The Interfax-Kazakhstan news agency, citing an unnamed government source, said there is progress on the standpoints set forth in a memorandum to the effect that KazMunayGaz's share in the project should be raised, that the amount of profit oil should be increased, and that spending should be cut.
"Now a proposal agreed by all contractors remains to be received in order for the government to consider it and take the appropriate decision," said the official, adding that members of the consortium must submit their ideas to the Kazakh government by Nov. 30.
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