Kazakhstan Reroutes Oil Exports After Russian Pipeline Disruptions

The Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan is redistributing its crude oil export flows following repeated disruptions to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) operations in July. These disruptions were caused by Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, including the export terminal at Novorossiysk. Shipments through the CPC were suspended three times in July, including one week-long shutdown that briefly removed over 1 million barrels per day from the global market.

To reduce vulnerability, Kazakhstan has already increased oil volumes transported via the Atyrau-Samara route and expanded pipeline supplies to China. The ministry is now evaluating further alternative routes through Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey. Specifically, officials are considering the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, the Baku-Supsa route, and transportation across the Caspian Sea through Azerbaijan.

The CPC pipeline transports oil from the Tengiz, Kashagan, and Karachaganak fields. The consortium is partially owned by the Russian Federation, which holds a 24% stake, as well as affiliates of Western firms including Chevron and ExxonMobil.