Environmental and Regulatory Disputes

Successfully represented North Caspian Operating Company B.V. (Operator under the North Caspian Production Sharing Agreement) in all judicial instances in a lawsuit filed by a territorial environmental authority seeking to suspend wastewater discharge from production activities. The claim was denied in full, marking a significant victory for the client in a high-profile environmental dispute.

Represented North Caspian Operating Company B.V. (Operator under the North Caspian Production Sharing Agreement) in a number of civil and administrative cases initiated as a result of a dispute with the environmental authority related to the alleged violations of environmental legislation during commissioning activities. Represented the client in courts of all levels (from the court of first instance to the Supreme Court), as well as in the proceedings on administrative offences.

Successfully represented a MAJOR DRILLING COMPANY in cases involving the revision of previously issued judicial acts on the recovery of environmental damages based on newly discovered circumstances. Together with the client’s criminal lawyer (‘advokat’), worked on the termination of a criminal case initiated under Article 329 (Atmospheric Air Pollution) of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The case was terminated.

Successfully represented Total E&P Dunga GmbH in court proceedings against the Department of Ecology in a dispute over access to environmental sampling sites.

Advised an INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT on the compliance of international standards with Kazakhstani legislation concerning land withdrawal for state needs in connection with a major settlement resettlement project.

Advised a major OILFIELD SERVICES PROVIDER in connection with an inspection and subsequent investigation by state authorities regarding an alleged oil spill.

Represented Total E&P Dunga GmbH in a lawsuit challenging the results of state environmental control, where the potential amount of additional charges, damages, and fines was approximately KZT 2 billion. The company’s claim was satisfied, and the order was declared illegal and cancelled in the relevant part.

Advised a MAJOR SUPPLIER OF OILFIELD SERVICES in a dispute related to an attempt by state authorities to close a work camp at a major oil field for alleged violations of sanitary norms.

Advising a major INTERNATIONAL SUPPLIER of goods through a marketplace on disputable issues related to regulatory requirements in the sphere of banking and other financial activities in Kazakhstan.

Advising a MAJOR OIL AND GAS COMPANY on several interrelated disputes related to sanitary and fire safety regulations.

Advising a FOREIGN AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER on a dispute related to public procurement rules.