The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) experienced significant disruption after the oil tanker Nordic Zenith, chartered by ExxonMobil, was struck by two drones on Friday as it approached the CPC terminal near Novorossiysk on Russia's Black Sea coast. The attack led to a fire on board the Suezmax-class vessel, which the crew subsequently extinguished. While 13 crew members were evacuated, nine opted to remain on the tanker, which has since been deemed unfit for mooring or loading operations at the CPC terminal and removed from its schedule.
The incident is part of a broader escalation of attacks in the Black and Azov seas, though CPC did not attribute responsibility for this specific drone strike. The CPC pipeline is crucial for global oil supplies, accounting for approximately 80% of Kazakhstan's oil exports. This disruption marks another instance where operations at the CPC terminal have been affected by conflicts in the region, including previous Ukrainian attacks on pumping stations and the loading terminal.
In response to the attack, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Energy announced plans to revise its oil export routes, with a portion of oil from the Kashagan field being redirected to China. Despite the damage, CPC stated that oil shipments are continuing through existing port infrastructure, albeit with enhanced safety measures. The 1,510 km (940-mile) pipeline connects Kazakhstan's Caspian Sea oil deposits with the Black Sea port, where oil is then loaded onto tankers for international markets. Shareholders in the CPC include Russia (via Transneft), Kazakhstan (via KazMunayGas), Chevron, Lukoil, ExxonMobil, and a Rosneft and Shell joint venture.
