The trial of Shell and Eni executives over alleged corruption in Nigeria is expected to start in Milan today.
The process had been slated to commence at the beginning of March, but was postponed until today.
Shell and Eni paid $1.3billion for offshore licence 245 in Nigeria, but defendants have been accused of involvement in a scheme to defraud the country of a large part of that sum.
Nigeria’s government has said funds were illegally transferred to bank accounts controlled by former oil minister Dan Tete.
Mr Tete led the company which sold the block, Malabu Oil and Gas.
Shell and Eni have denied any wrongdoing.