JSC KazMunayGas (KMG) Chief Executive Officer, Sauat Mynbayev and Eni's CEO, Claudio Descalzi signed an agreement at the Foreign Investors’ Council in Astana. The agreement renews the conditions for the transfer to Eni of 50% of the subsoil use rights in the Isatay block, located in the Caspian Sea, for exploration and production of hydrocarbons.

The block, which is estimated to have significant potential for hydrocarbon resources, will be operated by a Joint Operating Company (JOC) formed by Eni and KMG. The JOC will benefit from the proprietary technologies of Eni, a global leader in terms of exploration and with extensive experience in challenging technical and environmental areas such as the Caspian Basin.

The JOC will begin working as soon as the transfer of 50% interest in the License is completed, subject to the approval of the transaction by the Republic of Kazakhstan.

In addition, Eni and KazMunayGas EP, a subsidiary of KMG, have signed an agreement to further expand upstream technology co-operation and evaluate potential joint developments in new projects. The agreement also includes a technical and managerial training program for KMG EP staff.

Yesterday, Eni had signed a cooperation agreement with General Electric (GE) and the Minister of Energy of Kazakhstan, Kanat Bozumbayev, to promote the development of renewable energy projects in the country.

Under the agreement, Eni and GE will co-operate with the aim of evaluating the possibility of building a wind power plant with approximately 50 MW capacity and identifying further future initiatives that will contribute to achieving the country's strategic goals in terms of sustainable development.

Along with the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, together with JSC KazMunayGas (KMG) and the Kazakh Committee of geology and subsoil use, Eni signed a Memorandum of Understanding to evaluate future cooperation terms in the Kazakh-Russian Pre-Caspian Basin where numerous discoveries of oil fields of considerable size have been carried out. The signing of this MoU is part of the Eurasia project promoted by the Ministry of Energy in order to study the depth exploration potential of the basin.

All the agreements signed at the Foreign Investors’ Council further expand the scope of Eni's activities in Kazakhstan and strengthen its presence in the country, as well as consolidating the strategic alliance with key partners such as KMG in the upstream sector and GE in the field of renewable energy.

In Kazakhstan, Eni is joint operator of the Karachaganak field as well as being an equity partner in various projects in the Northern Caspian Sea, including the giant Kashagan field.

About ENI

Eni is an integrated energy company employing more than 34.000 people in 69 countries in the world. Eni engages in oil and natural gas exploration, field development and production, as well as in the supply, trading and shipping of natural gas, LNG, electricity and fuels. Through refineries and chemical plants, Eni processes crude oil and other oil-based feedstock to produce fuels, lubricants and chemical products that are supplied to wholesalers or through retail networks or distributors.

About KMG

National Company “KazMunayGas” (KMG) is the Kazakhstan operator for exploration, production, refining and transportation of hydrocarbons, representing the state interests in the oil and gas industry of Kazakhstan. Joint Stock Company “National Company “KazMunayGas” was established by way of merger of “Kazakhoil” National Oil and Gas Company and “Oil and Gas Transportation” National Company pursuant to the Decree of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan as of February 20, 2002. 90% of KMG shares are owned by Samruk Kazyna National Welfare Fund JSC. 10% of KMG shares are owned by the National Bank of the Republiс of Kazakhstan. National Company “KazMunayGas” is a vertically integrated oil and gas company performing a full production cycle from exploration and production of hydrocarbons, their transportation and refining to provision of customized services.