Former bosses at Italian oil giant Saipem were convicted of international corruption by the Court of Milan last night.
In the ruling, Milan judges sentenced former Saipem CEO Pietro Tali to four years and confiscated £85 million from the firm.
The court also ordered Saipem to pay more than £350,000 in a “pecuniary sanction” decision.
Former Eni boss Paolo Scaroni and its current upstream head Antonio Vella were acquitted by judges.
According to Italian law, firms can be held responsible for the corruption activities of its employees.
The court decision relates to contract decisions taken by the Saipem with Algerian state-owned Sonatrach in 2010.
Italian oil firm is accused of paying intermediary firms £175m to win contracts worth £7m.
Saipem said the former managers convicted by the court “all left the Company between 2008 and 2012”.
The firm added in a statement that it “reserves the right to appeal the court’s decision on the basis of the reasons underpinning the ruling, which will be filed within 90 days”.
Saipem were involved in the 2017 hook-up of the Hywind project off Peterhead.
The firm has been looking to transition into renewable energy with further UK contracts in its sights.