UPDATE 2-Kazakh MP urges suspension of U.S.-led oilfield

(Adds Chevron statement)

By Raushan Nurshayeva

ASTANA, Sept 20 (Reuters) - A Kazakh parliamentarian urged the government on Thursday to suspend the U.S. Chevron-led (CVX.N) joint venture operating the Tengiz oilfield in the Central Asian state due to ecological violations.

The proposal may put further pressure on Kazakhstan's relations with foreign investors at a time when a separate group of Western oil majors is trying to resolve a bitter row with the Kazakh government over another huge oil project, Kashagan.

Gani Kasymov, member of the upper house of parliament, accused the Tengizchevroil (TCO) venture of violating environmental laws by not dealing with its vast stocks of sulphur.

"If this ... matter is not resolved I urge you to ban this company's activities in Kazakhstan until the sulphur stocks problem is resolved," Kasymov said.

Chevron Corp swiftly rejected criticism of its environmental record in the former Soviet state, saying it operated its sulphur stocks "in an environmentally safe manner consistent with Kazakhstan's laws".

"Tengizchevroil continues to work in partnership with the government to align strategies and forward plans for sulfur management," Chevron spokesman Michael R. Barrett said in an e-mailed statement.

Kasymov was handpicked just weeks ago by Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev into the upper house. Proposals made by members of parliament or low-ranking officials have in the past sometimes preceded official government campaigns.