Kashagan's development in Kazakhstan has already absorbed $116 billion, which makes the project one of the most expensive discoveries of the last 40 years.
Independent expert Olzhas Baidildinov of Kazakhstan has expressed his opinion on the news about ConocoPhillips intent to sell its stake in Kashagan to Indian ONGC.
Early May Сorriere della Sera, an Italian newspaper, ran a material that Milan Prosecutor Office reportedly suspects Eni of bribing at the time of signing the deal on development of the Kashagan oilfield.
Plans are there to bring the production figure up to 350 000 barrels a day or even up to 450 000 barrels a day at the first stage of the oilfield development.
Kazakhstan Oil and Gas Ministry considers foreign media's accusing of Eni company of bribery during signing of contracts on Kashagan oil and gas field an internal battle between participants of the project.
According to KMG, the Company plans to invest $8 billion into the project before 2014, with the total of investments into a range of projects standing at $20 billion.
As of today, Kazakhstan-based refineries process a bit over 13 million tons a year. Plans are there to increase oil processing up to 17.5 million tons by 2015.