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Algeria expects swift progress in Eni-Sonatrach probe

ALGIERS, March 8 (Reuters) - Algeria expects its investigation into allegations of corruption involving state energy company Sonatrach and Italy's Eni to progress rapidly once it receives responses to requests for assistance from overseas authorities. Algiers public proscutor Belkacem Zeghmati launched the probe last month after Milan prosecutors said they were investigating Eni head Paolo Scaroni over alleged bribes paid to win contracts in Algeria for Saipem, in which Eni holds a 43 percent stake.

CORRECTED-EXCLUSIVE-Italian vineyard may hold clues in Saipem probe

(Corrects headline to make clear bribery probe primarily concerns Saipem) By Jessica Donati and Stephen Jewkes MILAN, March 6 (Reuters) - An Italian investigation into suspected bribery by workers at energy firm Eni and its Saipem unit to secure Algerian oil and gas industry contracts has led prosecutors to a vineyard outside Naples part owned by two central figures in the case, judicial sources say.

UPDATE 2-Petrofac unsettles investors with vague 2013 guidance

* FY net profit up 17 pct to $632 mln vs $636 mln forecast * Company guides for "good growth" in 2013 * Analysts disappointed by lack of quantitative target * Shares down 3.3 pct By Sarah Young LONDON, Feb 27 (Reuters) - British oil services firm Petrofac just missed 2012 profit forecasts and failed to give a specific target for this year, spooking investors already unnerved by a rivals' shock profit warning.

Algeria vows tough action in Italian bribery scandal

Algeria vowed Wednesday to take tough action against any officials at state energy firm Sonatrach found to have accepted bribes from Italian company Eni. Eni's chief executive Paolo Scaroni is already under investigation in Italy over alleged bribes paid to win contracts in Algeria for Saipem SpA, a subsidiary of Eni. That inquiry is into suspected bribes given to Sonatrach, where several top executives including the president were forced to resign two years ago due to the scandal.

UPDATE 3-Eni reassures investors with buoyant outlook, profits

* Expects output to be boosted by Kashagan field start-up * Sees 2013 oil and gas production growth at over 3 pct * Starts internal audit on Saipem, says zero tolerance on bribery issues * To pay full-year dividend of 1.08 euros By Stephen Jewkes

Prosecutors probe Eni CEO contact with Algeria bribe "fixer"

By Stephen Jewkes and Manuela D'Alessandro MILAN, Feb 8 (Reuters) - A warrant to search the premises of Eni chief executive Paolo Scaroni was based on a meeting he had with the man alleged to have distributed bribes to win Algerian gas contracts for group company Saipem . State-controlled Eni is the biggest listed Italian company and the leading foreign energy operator in Algeria, where Italy sources 30 percent of its gas, making the North African country vital to its energy security.

Italian energy chief investigated over Algeria bribes

Italian energy major Eni's CEO Paolo Scaroni has been placed under investigation over alleged bribes paid to win contracts in Algeria, the company said on Thursday, denying any involvement in the scandal. Financial police raided Scaroni's residence in Rome and Eni's headquarters near Milan in their inquiry, which revolves around Eni's oil services subsidiary Saipem and its work on Algerian energy infrastructure. "Eni and its CEO declare themselves totally unrelated to the object of investigation," the company said.

Italian energy chief investigated over Algeria bribes

Italian energy major Eni's CEO Paolo Scaroni has been placed under investigation over alleged bribes linked to work in Algeria, the company said on Thursday, denying any involvement in the scandal. Financial police raided Scaroni's home in Rome and Eni's headquarters near Milan as part of their investigation, which revolves around contracts won by Eni's oil services subsidiary Saipem. "Eni and its CEO declare themselves totally unrelated to the object of investigation," the company said in a statement.

Italian energy chief probed over Algeria bribes: reports

The chief executive of Italian energy major ENI, Paolo Scaroni, is under investigation over alleged bribes linked to work in Algeria, ANSA news agency and Dow Jones Newswires reported on Thursday. Financial police raided Scaroni's home in Rome and ENI's headquarters near Milan as part of their investigation, which revolves around ENI's oil services subsidiary Saipem, the reports said. Contacted by AFP, ENI declined to comment. ENI shares plunged on the Milan stock exchange following the reports, closing the session with a 4.62 percent plunge to 17.33 euros.

URGENT ¥¥¥ Italian energy chief investigated over Algeria bribes: reports

The chief executive of Italian energy major ENI, Paolo Scaroni, is under investigation over alleged bribes linked to work in Algeria, ANSA news agency and Dow Jones Newswires reported on Thursday. Financial police raided Scaroni's home in Rome and ENI's headquarters near Milan as part of their investigation, which revolves around ENI's oil services subsidiary Saipem, the reports said. Contacted by AFP, ENI declined to comment. ahe/dt/arp
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