Kazakhstan has invited European Energy Comissioner Adreas Piebalgs and ENI chief exec Paulo Scaroni to Astana, the capital, to discuss the Kashagan oilfield deadlock.

Kazakh Prime Minister Karim Massimov Piebalgs had a week ago threatened EC action to punish Kazakhstan if oil-company rights were threatened. Massimov said he “not agree to accept any financial burden from the delays to operations at Kashagan.

The dispute arises over delays in the start-up of Kashagan from 2005 to 2010, and a 138-percent cost spike were “menacing Kazakhstan with serious social-economic repercussions."

Massimov, in a statement, said his government "is ready to dialogue openly" for a quick solution. But he warned, “Those trying to breach Kazakhstan legislation and neglect national interests will be held fully liable in accordance with the applicable legislation and international standards."

He said "Kazakhstan remains a reliable and stable partner which respects its contractual obligations and advocates contract stability."