Kazakhstan is awaiting a court ruling in a $3.5 billion legal case against a group of international oil companies over disputes linked to one of the country’s largest energy projects.

The case is connected to the Karachaganak oil and condensate field, where the government says it is seeking compensation over costs deducted under existing profit-sharing agreements. Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said a decision on the arbitration could be delivered before the end of the year, with the first ruling expected within weeks.

According to Kazakh authorities, the dispute centers on how development costs were calculated and deducted before revenues were shared with the government. Officials argue that excessive deductions reduced the state’s earnings from the project.

Karachaganak is one of the world’s biggest gas and condensate fields and is operated by a consortium that includes Eni and Shell as major shareholders, alongside Chevron, Lukoil, and Kazakhstan’s state-owned company, KazMunaiGas. The field holds billions of barrels of liquid hydrocarbons and large volumes of natural gas.

Beyond this case, Kazakhstan is pursuing several other arbitration claims against global oil majors involved in developing its major oilfields, including Kashagan. Combined, the claims are valued at more than $160 billion and relate to alleged contract delays, cost overruns, and lost government revenue.