ASTANA, Dec 15 (Reuters) - Kazakhstan's energy minister, Yerlan Akkenzhenov, said on Monday that a ruling in an arbitration case involving an international consortium developing the Karachaganak oil and gas condensate field was expected before year-end.

Speaking to reporters in the capital Astana, Akkenzhenov said: "There are arbitration proceedings regarding the Karachaganak project. We expect a decision this month, and it should be made by the end of this year."

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The Central Asian country in 2023 launched claims against the developers of its Kashagan and Karachaganak oilfields over $13 billion and $3.5 billion, respectively, in disputed costs.

Kazakhstan has clashed for years with international oil companies over costs, bringing multi-billion-dollar claims against them.

Akkenzhenov also said that the government was gathering documents for a second, larger, lawsuit against the Kashagan consortium, the value of which has not been disclosed.

He said that this case would be considered by the courts in 2026 and 2027.

The ruling expected this month is on the field operated by the Karachaganak Petroleum Operating consortium, which includes Eni (ENI.MI) , opens new tab with 29.25%, Shell (SHEL.L) , opens new tab with 29.25%, Chevron (CVX.N) , opens new tab with 18%, Lukoil (LKOH.MM) , opens new tab with 13.5% and KazMunayGaz (KMGZ.KZ) , opens new tab with 10%.

Critics say the government is simply seeking to increase its shares in key oil and gas projects in what amounts to "resource nationalism".

Kazakhstan's authorities have rejected such criticism, saying their aim was to rein in costs inflated by Western majors.

In August, Kazakh authorities said they were pressing ahead with a $4.4 billion fine against Kashagan for what Astana said were ecological violations at the field.

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/kazakhstan-sees-arbitration-ruling-karachaganak-before-year-end-2025-12-15/