Reuters reported that a Western-led energy consortium developing Kazakhstan's Karachaganak gas field faces a back tax claim of USD 136 million for 2004.

As per report, operators of Karachaganak a huge deposit developed by BG, Eni, Chevron and LUKOIL declined immediate comment.

The source said an audit of Karachaganak operations, conducted last year had determined the group owed KZT 20 billion in back taxes for 2004. They are being accused of evading taxes and other payments into the budget in 2004.

The source said "A working group has been set up to conduct a complete audit of all activities of Karachaganak companies in 2005 to 2008. The source added the working group included prosecutors, financial police, energy ministry officials and the KNB security service.”

The government and the tax authorities declined to comment.

(Sourced from Reuters)