The U.S. Department of Justice has completed its investigation into Eni SpA's transaction on Block OPL 245 in Nigeria and contracts entered into by its affiliate Saipem SpA in Algeria, the oil major said Oct. 1.
The department concluded the investigations without taking action, Eni said in an Oct. 1 news release.
In February 2011, Saipem was alleged by the public prosecutor of Milan to have committed international corruption related to a contract with Algeria's Sonatrach Spa for the construction of the GK3 gas pipeline, as well as another contract between Galsi S.p.A., Saipem and TechnipFMC PLC involving the engineering of a ground section of a gas pipeline.
In July 2014, Eni was also alleged by the public prosecutor of Milan to have committed international corruption regarding a 2011 transaction for the OPL 245 Block in Nigeria. Eni and Royal Dutch Shell PLC executives were alleged to have been involved in more than $1 billion bribery payments for the deal.
Eni informed the U.S. Justice Department and the U.S. SEC regarding the investigations in Milan but noted that internal investigations conducted by independent advisers had not found any illegal conduct in the OPL 245 transaction. Eni said it expects the case will be dismissed by the Court of Milan.
For the Algerian transactions, Eni said it was previously acquitted by the Court of Milan, reaffirming findings made by independent third parties.
