Kazakhstan plans to solve the argument about Kashagan in "peaceful way"

/REUTERS, Astana, Raushan Nurshayeva, December 7, 07/ - President of Kazakhstan waits the compensation of losses or increase of stake of Kazakhstan in consortium, developing Kashagan field, but says, that it is not speaking about change of operator - Italian ENI. About that Nursultan Nazarbayev told to journalists on the press-conference with president of EBRD Jan Lemier by results of session of foreign investors council. Authorities of Kazakhstan blamed western investors in abortions while developing of field and claimed the compensation, and also charging of state company with status of second leader of Kashagan project. "We are not speaking about refusal from contract. Both sides are touching possibilities for solving of task. They may be different - either sum of payment, which we are stating, or Kazakhstan increases its presence in project Kashagan and by good will of all participants we'll solve this question peacefully", - he told. Earlier all members of consortium, except American Exxon Mobil, announced that they agree to increase stake of state oil company Kazmunaygas in the project. By the words of Nazarbayev, there is no question about change of operator for today. Government announced that it will lose ten milliards of dollars because of delay of start of commercial extraction from 208 to 2010 year. Expenses for development of field increased to $136 bn. from $57 bn. To the staff of consortium headed by ENI are included Royal Dutch Shell, Exxon Mobil and Total, to which belong 18.5% shares each, ConocoPhillips with 9.3% and Japanese Inpex and Kazmunaygas owing with 8.3% each. [2007-12-07]