Subsurface users fined KZT 1 billion for causing serious environment harm

The great bulk of foreign oil and gas companies operate in Atyrau region. M.Smagulov spoke about the judicial practice in cases involving foreign companies. According to him, the main disputes that arise in the courts of the area are related to violations of the environmental legislation. "Ecology is the most sensitive spot in the region. Violations occur during the extraction of oil in fields. In 2012, the economic court considered 29 claims of environmental legislation violation. TCO was fined KZT 18 billion. In 2013, the court considered 43 similar cases and levied about KZT 22 billion for violation of environmental laws. Over 7 months of the current year, we have considered 12 cases and sustained claims for breaching environmental legislation worth KZT 1 billion", said Mukhtar Smagulov. He noted that more than 9,000 enterprises registered in Atyrau region, over 900 of them are foreign-owned.