“Baraka has received a small number of enquires from shareholders regarding the recent detention of the former Mauritanian Minister for Energy & Petroleum and certain government officers,” the company said in a statement.

Prosecutors claim an amendment to a production sharing contract with Woodside that former Mauritanian oil minister Zeidane Ould Hmedia signed in December 2004 improperly reduced the share paid to the Mauritanian state.

While Baraka recently farmed out two of its onshore Mauritanian blocks to a Woodside subsidiary, these blocks are not involved in the allegations and the farm-outs have been approved the government, according to Baraka.

“Baraka, confirms that all agreements concerning its projects and contracts in Mauritania have been approved by the Mauritanian government, and where applicable passed into law.”

De Vietri last week met the new Minister for Energy & Petroleum, the Minister of Mines & Minerals, the Minister of finance, the chief of Cabinet of the Ministry of Economic Affairs & Development, and the governor of the Reserve Bank of Mauritania.

“These scheduled meetings were to introduce new European financial institutions interested in supporting investment in Mauritania, including Baraka’s petroleum activities,” the company said.

“During these meetings, the various government representatives confirmed that the Mauritanian government is fully committed to the development of a world-class petroleum industry and a sound, reliable and transparent investment environment. Mr de Vietri and Baraka were also acknowledged for their pioneering efforts in assisting to bring investment to the Mauritanian petroleum industry.”