The Guardian reports that the decision to drop Dechert – hired to run the internal investigation into the allegations – brings further disorder to the company which has been in talks with the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) since 2011 over complications arising from its Kazakh operations, as well as an internal inquiry into the company’s movements in Africa.

'Transparent investigation'

The SFO has so far been satisfied with ENRC conducting its own internal investigation, rather than launching a formal investigation itself.
Commenting on the split with Dechert, ENRC said: ‘As part of ENRC's continuing process to achieve the highest standards of corporate governance and transparency, ENRC can confirm it has retained Fulcrum chambers as lead counsel overseeing the Group's liaison with the SFO. Dechert no longer advises the company. ENRC remains committed to a full and transparent investigation of its procedures and conduct.’
Dechert declined to comment, however a Guardian source suggested that the ‘self reporting’ process was too lengthy and had become expensive.