Tax Claims Against Kazakh Firm of ChevronTexaco

Head of Kazakhstan's national oil and gas company KazMunaiGaz has confirmed Kazakh tax authorities have claims on TengizChevroil, in which the company owns 20%.

"TengizChevroil has contacts with the tax committee. These matters are being discussed and I can't say anything until they are resolved," the company CEO said.

He did not specify the amount of the tax claims.

TengizChevroil General Director Alexander Cornelius said there are no tax claims against the company. "I don't know what they're talking about," he said. "We haven't received any notification from tax authorities of any fines," he said.

TengizChevroil is the biggest oil producer in Kazakhstan, producing nearly a quarter of the country's oil.

ChevronTexaco Overseas currently owns 50% of TengizChevroil, ExxonMobil Kazakhstan ventures Inc 25%, Kazakhstan's state-owned KazMunaiGaz 20% and the Russian-U.S. LUKArco 5%of the joint venture.