Exxon Links $80 Billion Kazakh Oil Venture to Feud Resolution

There is a giant oil field under the sea near Kazakhstan called Kashagan, one of the biggest oil discoveries in decades when it was found in 2000.

A big oil company called ExxonMobil wants to spend about $80 billion to build a new part of the field with Kazakhstan.

But before that, the oil companies and the Kazakhstan government are arguing over a huge amount of money, about $150 billion.

The government says the companies owe the money because the project was very slow and money was lost while waiting.

Exxon says the argument should be solved first, and then the new building can start.

The plan would also create a new partnership with Kazakhstan's own oil company, KazMunayGas.

If the new part is built, it could make up to 600,000 barrels of oil every day.

Other oil companies, like Shell and Eni, could join in with smaller shares.

But a leader at KazMunayGas says the news report about the plan is not accurate, so nothing is final yet.