KazMunayGas Exploration Production (Kazakhstan) signs cooperation agreement for exploration and mining of hydrocarbons

/KASE, December 5, 08/ - Today KazMunayGas Exploration Production, National Company KazMunayGas and BG Group plc spread a joint press release. Quotation beginning JSC National Company "KazMunayGas" (NC KMG), NC KMG subsidiary "KazMunaiGas Exploration Production" (KMG EP - LSE:KMG LI) and BG Group plc (BG Group - LSE: BG.L), today announced an agreement to co-operate in exploring a range of upstream opportunities. The agreement, which was signed in the presence of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Mr. Karim Massimov, sets out the principles of a joint study of the hydrocarbon reserves potential of specific areas in Kazakhstan and other countries. The companies will work in partnership to identify opportunities across a range of potential oil and gas exploration and production projects. A joint team will examine specifically-targeted regions and recommend prospective acreage to partners for their consideration. NC KMG President Mr. Kairgeldy Kabyldin said: "The upstream co-operation agreement, announced today, will play an important role in accelerating our strategy for international growth. We look forward to expanding our working relationship with BG Croup". FOR REFERENCE National Company "KazMunayGas" (NC KMG) is a national oil and gas exploration, production, processing and transportation operator representing the Government of Kazakhstan's interests in the country's oil and gas industry. NC "KazMunayGas" is wholly owned by JSC "Sovereign wealth fund "Samruk- Kazyna". KMG EP is one of top three oil producers in Kazakhstan with over 10.6 mmt (215 kbopd) of crude oil production in 2007 including shares in production of Kazgermunai and CCEL, and 240 mmt (1.8bn bbl) of proved and probable reserves at the end of 2007 (over 2 bn bbl including interests in Kazgermunai and CCEL).The Company's shares are listed on the Kazakh Stock Exchange and the GDRs are listed on the London Stock Exchange. The Company raised over US$2bln as a result of its IPO in September of 2006. BG Group plc (LSE: BG.L) is a world leader in natural gas, with a strategy focused on connecting competitively-priced resources to specific, high-value markets. Active in 27 countries on five continents, BG Group has a broad portfolio of exploration and production, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), transmission and distribution and power generation business interests. It combines a deep understanding of gas markets with a proven track record in finding and commercialising reserves. Contact information: KMG Information Policy Department: (+7 7172 97 6305) RD KMG Public Relations: (+7 7172 97 7600) Mikhail Dorofeyev e-mail: pr@kmgep.kz Institutional Investor Relations: (+7 7172 97 7971) Asel Kalieva e-mail: ir@kmgep.kz Pelham PR: (+44 203 178 44 18) Elena Dobson e-mail: Elena.dobson@pelhampr.com BG Group Communications Department: (+44 (0) 118 929 3508/3110) Mobile for Journalists in the Great Britain: (+44 (0) 791 718 5707) Investments Division: (+44 (0) 118 929 3025) Quotation end [2008-12-05]