Kazakh energy minister, U.S. ambassador discuss energy export infrastructure security
ASTANA. July 30 (Interfax) - Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov discussed energy export infrastructure security at a meeting with U.S. Ambassador to Kazakhstan Julie Stufft.
"Special attention was paid to regional energy security, reliable operation of export infrastructure and stability of energy supplies to global markets," the Energy Ministry said.
They also discussed a broad range of bilateral energy issues and reaffirmed their mutual interest in strengthening the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and the United States. Both said they were ready to keep up active dialogue within their strategic energy partnership.
Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed the CPC situation in a phone call on Wednesday.
The CPC halted oil shipments at its marine terminal overnight Thursday following another drone attack on the tanker NISSOS SIFNOS. A second tanker, MARATHI, flying the Isle of Man flag and bound for the CPC terminal, was also attacked in territorial waters six nautical miles from the terminal, the CPC said.
Four tankers, including vessels carrying oil for Kazakhstan's largest producers, were hit by drone attacks near the Caspian Pipeline Consortium's marine terminal between July 17 and 20. The vessels, the Nordic Zenith, the ASIA (carrying oil for Tengizchevroil), the NISSOS IOS (carrying oil for Kashagan B.V. and Maten, a KazMunayGas subsidiary) and the NELSA, were sailing under foreign flags with international crews aboard. The ships sustained hull damage but remained afloat. No casualties were reported and no oil spills occurred, CPC said.
Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry condemned the attacks on July 19, calling them "an unacceptable encroachment on the economic interests of the Republic of Kazakhstan" and urging partner countries to condemn the strikes. Damage estimates have not been released. As a result, Kazakhstan had to reduce oil production.
On July 27, the Energy Ministry said oil shipments had resumed on the Tengiz-Novorossiysk pipeline and at the marine terminal.
CPC ships crude from three major Kazakh fields: Tengiz, Kashagan and Karachaganak. Throughput in 2025 totaled about 70.5 million tonnes, with more than 75% of that volume coming from foreign shippers, led by Tengizchevroil, ExxonMobil, KazMunayGas, Eni and Shell. The consortium expects to handle 72 million tonnes in 2026.
The 1,500-kilometer pipeline links oil fields in western Kazakhstan and Russian Caspian deposits to a marine terminal near Novorossiysk on the Black Sea. It is Kazakhstan's main export artery, carrying more than 80% of the country's pipeline crude. The system can move up to 72.5 million tonnes of oil per year from Kazakhstan and up to 83 million tonnes through Russia.
CPC shareholders are Russia, with a combined 31% stake managed by Transneft and held on its balance sheet; Kazakhstan, represented by KazMunayGas and Kazakhstan Pipeline Ventures LLC, with 20.75%; Chevron Caspian Pipeline Consortium Company with 15%; Lukoil International GmbH with 12.5%; Mobil Caspian Pipeline Company with 7.5%; Rosneft-Shell Caspian Ventures Limited with 7.5%; BG Overseas Holding Limited with 2%; Eni International N.A. N.V. with 2%; and Oryx Caspian Pipeline LLC with 1.75%.
