 Tengizchevroil wants to increase output |
ChevronTexaco has denied it is facing a $2.5bn (�1.4bn) claim for back-taxes over its Tengizchevroil (TCO) venture in Kazakhstan. An official from Chevron's Russian partner Lukoil had previously said TCO owed money.
Russia's finance daily Kommersant says the Kazakh government is seeking $120m from Lukoil alone as part of the claim.
But Steve Colville from ChevronTexaco told BBC News Online from Almaty, "This is not a matter for TCO."
In a statement to Reuters news agency, Tengizchevroil has also said that it had no knowledge of the claim.
Confusion
Lukoil itself had told Reuters a claim was under negotiation.
But Lukoil representatives in Moscow told BBC News Online on Tuesday they could not confirm whether a bill had been received by TCO.
The fines and back taxes cover 2000 to 2003, it has been reported.
ChevronTexaco holds a 50% stake in TCO, while Lukoil owns a 54% stake in LukArco, which holds a 5% stake in TCO.
Lukoil is the world's second largest oil company by reserves.
The Russian government is due to hold an auction on Wednesday to sell its remaining 7.6% stake in Lukoil, with a starting price of nearly $2bn.
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