Kazakh, Italian foreign ministers discuss securing CPC's safe operation
ASTANA. Aug 25 (Interfax) - Kazakh Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbayev and Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani have discussed the safety and stability of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) operation in a phone call, the Kazakh Foreign Ministry press service said in a statement.
"Energy security and securing the steady and safe operation of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, a key route for delivering Kazakh oil to international markets, was among the main topics of the talks. The parties emphasized the strategic importance of its uninterrupted operation for the sustainable energy supply to Europe," the statement released on Tuesday said.
The two foreign ministers also discussed the current state and prospects of Kazakh-Italian strategic cooperation, as well as interaction between the two countries in multilateral formats, including the C5-Italy and B5-Italy dialogue platforms.
At the end of the conversation, the parties reaffirmed their mutual commitment to further fostering Kazakh-Italian partnership and maintaining regular contacts at various levels.
Previously, drones have repeatedly attacked tankers in the waters of the CPC marine terminal. For instance, the Nelsa, Asia, Nissos Ios and Nordic Zenith tankers were attacked between July 17 and 20. On July 20, the consortium announced the suspension of oil loading at the marine terminal and was later forced to suspend oil intake. As a result, Kazakhstan had to reduce oil production.
On July 27, the Kazakh Energy Ministry announced the resumption of oil shipments via the Tengiz-Novorossiysk pipeline and loading at the marine terminal.
On July 30, the CPC suspended shipments again after the Marshall Islands-flagged tanker Nissos Sifnos, whose shipper was Tengizchevroil, was attacked and caught fire during loading. At the same time, the Isle of Man-flagged tanker Marathi, which was en route to load oil, was attacked six nautical miles from the CPC marine terminal.
Kazakh Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov said on Tuesday, August 25 that oil shipments via the CPC system were currently proceeding as normal.
The CPC ensures transportation of oil from three large Kazakh deposits: Tengiz, Kashagan and Karachaganak. The shipment volume was some 70.5 million tonnes in 2025, with foreign companies accounting for over 75% of the said volume, of which the largest are Tengizchevroil (Chevron), ExxonMobil , KazMunayGaz, Eni, and Shell (SPB: RDS.A).
The CPC connects oil deposits in western Kazakhstan and Russian deposits on the Caspian shelf with the Black Sea in Novorossiysk. The route is 1,500 kilometers long. It is the main export route for Kazakh oil, with over 80% of Kazakhstan's oil pumped through it. The CPC is capable of transporting 72.5 million tonnes of oil per year through Kazakhstan and up to 83 million tonnes of oil per year through Russia.
The CPC shareholders are the Russian Federation - 31% (24% in Transneft management, 7% on the balance, Kazakhstan - 20,75% (KazMunayGas - 19% and Kazakhstan Pipeline Ventures - 1.75%), Chevron Caspian Pipeline Consortium Company - 15%, Lukoil International GmbH - 12.5%, Mobil Caspian Pipeline Company - 7.5%, Rosneft-Shell Caspian Ventures Limited - 7.5%, BG Overseas Holding Limited - 2%, Eni International N.A. N.V. - 2%, and Oryx Caspian Pipeline LLC - 1.75%.
