The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) has recommenced oil loadings from its Black Sea terminal near Novorossiysk following a series of drone attacks that targeted tankers and infrastructure. Loadings had been temporarily suspended after the attacks, which Kazakhstan, a key oil producer, blamed on Ukraine. The resumption comes as Kazakhstan, whose economy heavily relies on oil exports, faced significant concerns, with 80% of its oil exports flowing through the CPC pipeline. Interim Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan of Romania, a country that imports over 60% of its crude from Kazakhstan, had expressed concerns about a potential 15% drop in gasoline production if shipments were not restored.
Several drone attacks occurred in July 2026, including on July 19, when the ASIA and NISSOS IOS tankers were hit during loading operations at the VPU-1 and VPU-3 outriggers, respectively. The ASIA tanker, flying the Liberian flag and loading oil from Tengizchevroil (in which Chevron is a major participant), caught fire, which was subsequently extinguished. Another incident on Monday involved the NELSA tanker being struck while loading at Single Point Mooring 1 (SPM-1), causing a fire on deck and in compartments. The CPC labeled these incidents as terrorist attacks on civilian vessels and international energy infrastructure, noting that no oil spill occurred and there were no fatalities or injuries to crew or consortium employees.
The attacks prompted strong reactions, with Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry calling them an "unacceptable encroachment" on its economic interests. The US, with Chevron's CEO Mike Wirth approaching White House officials, reportedly warned Ukraine against targeting non-Russian vessels in the Black Sea. This suggests a behind-the-scenes effort to resolve the disruptions, especially given that US oil companies have significant stakes in Kazakh oil fields. Ukrainian Ambassador to Kazakhstan Viktor Mayko denied Ukrainian involvement, stating there was "no proof" to support the accusations.
The CPC pipeline is crucial, transporting more than two-thirds of Kazakhstan's crude exports and accounting for roughly 1% of global oil supply. Major shareholders in the consortium include Chevron, ExxonMobil, KazMunayGas, and Shell, emphasizing the international impact of any disruptions. Experts highlight the potential for long-term negative consequences for Kazakhstan if such disruptions persist, possibly leading to higher costs for diverting oil through alternative pipelines and a loss of oil revenues.
