Kazakhstan has halted the collection of a $4.9 billion fine from NCOC, the operator of Kashagan, as reported by several state media outlets in Kazakhstan. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Sputnik Kazakhstan.
Sputnik Kazakhstan has sent an inquiry to the Ministry of Justice. The environmental fine was imposed for violating sulfur storage requirements and was to be voluntarily fulfilled by July 20.
The legality of the fine was confirmed by Kazakh courts. NCOC is a consortium of major oil and gas companies, including KazMunayGas, American Exxon Mobil, and Western companies Eni, Shell, and TotalEnergies.