CPC repairs won't affect Kazakhstan's oil exports - ministry

ASTANA. Nov 8 (Interfax) - Repairs at the single point moorings (SPM) of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium will not affect Kazakhstan's oil export targets, the Kazakh Energy Ministry told Interfax.

"Currently, the repairs at SPM-1 have reached the final stage. Taking into account the launch of the second SPM, no impact on production rates is expected," the ministry said.

The ministry also said production at the Kashagan field was back to the previous levels as of November 6.

The CPC on August 22 suspended the operation of SPM-1 and SPM-2 owing to damage to the buoyancy tanks. Replacing each unit would require a month under conditions of full readiness for work and suitable weather, the consortium noted.

The CPC oil pipeline passes through Russia and is the main export route for Kazakh oil, accounting for more than 80% of the volumes pumped through the pipeline. The CPC pipeline has been operating without failure for more than 20 years. However, over the past year, the system has been facing consistent problems with pumping restrictions owing to various external factors, including an oil spill accident in August 2021, SPM damage during a storm in March 2022, and surveys of the marine terminal water area for the presence of explosive objects that affected fulfilling the CPC shipment schedule.