New Subsoil Investor Opportunities Through Auctions

If an investor wants to engage in oil and gas exploration or production in Kazakhstan, the first step is to obtain a subsoil use right (SUR) through a contract (SUC).  An investor may obtain a SUR either directly (acquiring it from a current subsoil user or from the state) or indirectly (by buying shares in a subsoil user or its direct or indirect parent company ("objects linked to SUR" - Objects). Another option is to work in cooperation with a national company that has the right to obtain a SUR from the state through direct negotiations. Otherwise the SUR can be obtained from the state only at auction (Auction). The last option is to obtain a SUR or Objects through a public sale by a pledgeholder or bankruptcy manager during an enforcement process.