Enforcement resumes against the operator after a Kazakh court dismissed its legal challenge.
Authorities in Kazakhstan have resumed enforcement proceedings to collect an environmental fine of 5.22 billion dollars, or about 2,356,293,268,036 Kazakhstani tenge, from North Caspian Operating Company. The consortium operates the Kashagan offshore oilfield.
The enforcement restarted on September 30, 2026, following the dismissal of a legal challenge filed by the operating consortium in local courts. The penalty centers on allegations that sulfur storage at the Bolashak onshore facility exceeded the permitted limit of 730,000 metric tons.
Shell holds a 16.81% working interest in the venture. Partners TotalEnergies and ExxonMobil each hold an identical 16.81% stake, while state-owned KazMunayGas holds 16.88%. China National Petroleum is also a partner in the operating group.
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