Attacks on tankers with Kazakh oil near CPC continue after US talks

Two more tankers were attacked at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) marine terminal and its vicinity, one of which was loading Kazakh oil for Tengizchevroil. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.

CPC reported that the tanker NIFFOS SIFNOS, flying the flag of the Marshall Islands, carrying oil from the shipper Tengizchevroil LLP (Chevron), was attacked by drones during loading at the remote berthing device VPU-3. The incident occurred on the night of July 30. After the attack, a fire broke out on the deck in the area of the oil receiving manifolds. The fire was extinguished by the tanker's crew with the assistance of three CPC support vessels.

CPC reported that there were no casualties among consortium employees and contractor organizations. An oil spill was avoided. Medical assistance and evacuation of the crew were not required.

Another attack occurred six nautical miles from the marine terminal. The tanker MARATHI, flying the flag of the Isle of Man, which was heading to the terminal to receive oil, was attacked.

Oil loading at the terminal was suspended. The pipeline facilities are operating normally.

CPC stated that the attacks occurred despite earlier calls by Kazakhstan and other foreign shareholders of the consortium, including through the US State Department, to prevent the use of force against international energy infrastructure facilities.

Recall that a few hours earlier, Kazakhstan's Foreign Minister Yermek Kosherbaev held a telephone conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. According to the Kazakh Foreign Ministry's press service, one of the key topics of the talks was the situation around the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC).

Recall that CPC suspended shipments on July 20 after another drone attack on a tanker near the marine terminal.

On July 19, two tankers – ASIA (with Tengizchevroil oil under the flag of Liberia) and NISSOS IOS (with oil from Kashagan B.V. and Maten Petroleum under the flag of the Marshall Islands) – were attacked by drones during loading near VPU-1 and VPU-3. On July 17, the tanker Nordic Zenith, chartered by ExxonMobil, was attacked.

CPC is the main export route for oil from Kazakhstan – it accounts for more than 80% of all its exports.

CPC shareholders: Russia – 24%, CPC Company (LLC) – 7%, NC KazMunayGas – 19%, Kazakhstan Pipeline Ventures LLC – 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 Holdings Limited – 2%, Eni International N.A. N.V. S.ar.l. – 2%, and Oryx Caspian Pipeline LLC – 1.75%.