27-01-09 Oil services firm Technip and Italian oil major ENI said they are continuing to cooperate with US authorities on an investigation into alleged bribery in Nigeria, after US oil services company Halliburton moved to make a settlement.
US authorities began the probe into the TSKJ consortium -- comprising Technip and Japan's JGC, with ENI's Snamprogetti and Halliburton's KBR -- in relation to the construction of LNG facilities in Nigeria.

The investigators have alleged TSKJ broke anti-bribery laws with kickbacks to Nigerian officials.
Asked about inquiries into Technip's role, a company spokeswoman said: "Investigations are still underway and Technip is collaborating with American and French investigators."
"We don't know the outcome of this inquiry and have no precise date for an outcome," she said, adding: "The company is in "very regular contact" with the investigators.

An ENI spokesman said: "Snamprogetti has never received any notice of any wrongdoing from the authorities that are investigating the matter." The company had also agreed to cooperate with investigators, it said.
Meanwhile, Halliburton, part of the consortium through its former unit KBR, offered to pay a $ 559 mm fine to end the probe into its role in the consortium. The fine agreed by Halliburton, which severed ties with KBR in 2007, would be the largest penalty against a US company for charges of bribery under federal law, if approved by the US Government.

Under the US Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA), it is illegal for US companies or their agents to use bribes to win foreign business.
In July, Halliburton said it had reason to believe payments may have been made to Nigerian officials by agents of TSKJ consortium, which built the Bonny Island LNG facility.