Kazakhstan hopes to increase its stake in Kashagan to 16.8% from 8.3%

/REUTERS, Astana, Raushan Nurshayeva, December 25, 07/ - Kazakhstan hopes to increase its stake in project of development of Kashagan oil-gas field to 16.8% from 8.3%, the minister of energy Sauat Mynbayev told to journalists. "We are hoping to increase stake of Kazakhstan to 16.8%. As a whole we agreed about it with all companies", - Mynbayev told in the corridors of government. - "As a whole we know, which price we are asking and which price is suitable for them (participants of project)". Mynbayev repeated that only participant of consortium, with which Kazakhstan "yet did not reach the agreement" is American Exxon. Earlier state company Kazmunaygas informed that investors of Kashagan had reached the principle agreement about transferring of parts of their shares to state company is size "necessary to increase of stake of Kazmunaygas to the level of big participants". To the staff of consortium, headed by Italian Eni are entering Royal Dutch Shell, Exxon Mobil and Total, to which belong 18.5% of shares to each, ConocoPhillips with 9.3% and Japanese Inpex and Kazmunaygas owing with 8.3% each. Kazakhstan earlier blamed the western investors in abortion of terms and estimate which mastering of filed and claimed the compensation in form of increase of stake of state company Kazmunaygas and money compensation. Kazakhstan hopes to finish negotiations with foreign investors till January 15, naming as the only obstacle for compromise the position of American Exxon, claiming special terms for it. [2007-12-25]