In July, Kazakhstan redirected part of its oil exports to…
In July, Kazakhstan redirected part of its oil exports to alternative routes due to disruptions in the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (KTC) caused by multiple drone attacks on tankers at the Novorossiysk terminal. The country increased shipments via the Atyrau–Samara route and to China, while also advancing transit through Azerbaijan.
Consensus
- Kazakhstan redirected part of its oil exports in July due to disruptions in the Caspian Pipeline Consortium.
- The disruptions were caused by drone attacks on tankers at the KTC terminal in Novorossiysk.
- Kazakhstan increased oil shipments via the Atyrau–Samara direction and to China.
- The KTC remains the main export route for Kazakh oil, handling over 80% of volumes.
- Preliminary operations at the KTC terminal were suspended temporarily due to safety concerns.
- The KTC connects oil fields in western Kazakhstan with the Novorossiysk sea terminal on the Black Sea.
- The pipeline system is over 1,500 km long.
- The KTC transports oil from major fields including Tengiz, Kashagan, and Karachaganak.
- The KTC handled about 70.5 million tons of oil in 2025, with over 75% from foreign shippers.
- The KTC's 2026 forecast is 72 million tons.
Points of divergence
- Kazakhstan temporarily suspended loading at the KTC terminal on July 23 due to security conditions in the Black Sea, despite the infrastructure remaining functional. — fontanka
- The KTC stopped oil shipments on July 30 after a drone attack on the tanker Niffos Sifnos, which caught fire but did not cause oil spillage or casualties. — vedomosti
- Ukrainian forces repeatedly attacked vessels at the KTC terminal during loading, leading to a 10–14% increase in tanker charter costs. — kommersant
- Ukraine agreed after talks with U.S. officials to refrain from attacking certain oil tankers and Black Sea infrastructure critical for Kazakh oil exports. — kommersant
- The KTC suspended both loading and receipt of oil after the July 20 attacks, forcing Kazakhstan to reduce oil production. — interfax
- The KTC resumed transportation on July 27 after a temporary halt. — interfax
- The KTC terminal was disrupted multiple times in July, with drone attacks on July 19 and 20. — fontanka
- On July 29, the Kazakh foreign minister discussed the KTC situation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. — vedomosti
- Kazakhstan is considering transport via the Baku–Tbilisi–Jahang system, through Azerbaijan’s Caspian territory, and the Baku–Supsa route. — kommersant
- Kazakhstan and SOCAR agreed to gradually increase transit volumes through the Aktau–Baku–Tbilisi–Jahang route to 2.2 million tons annually. — fontanka
Coverage (4 sources)
- Kazakhstan redirected part of oil exports after KTC disruptions — Фонтанка
- Kazakhstan increased oil exports to China in July — Ведомости
- Kazakhstan allowed oil exports through Azerbaijan due to KTK malfunctions — Коммерсантъ
- Kazakhstan increased July oil exports via Atyrau-Samara and to China amid KTC malfunctions — Интерфакс