BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 30. A tanker loading
crude oil at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) Marine Terminal
came under attack while loading crude oil.
According to CPC, at 01:48 Moscow time on July 30, the NIFFOS
SIFNOS tanker, sailing under the Marshall Islands flag and
chartered to transport crude shipped by Tengizchevroil (Chevron),
was attacked while loading oil at the terminal's Single Point
Mooring No. 3 (SPM-3).
"As a result of the drone attack, a fire broke out near the oil
intake manifolds on the cargo deck. The fire was extinguished by
the tanker's crew with the assistance of three CPC support
vessels," the company said.
CPC said there were no casualties or injuries among its
employees or contractors, and no oil spill occurred. The tanker
remained afloat, while an assessment of the damage is underway. The
crew did not require medical assistance or evacuation.
Oil loading operations have been suspended, although the
pipeline's onshore facilities continue to operate normally, the
company added.
CPC also reported that the MARATHI tanker, sailing under the
Isle of Man flag and en route to the CPC Marine Terminal to load
crude oil, was attacked in Russia's territorial waters
approximately six nautical miles from the terminal.
The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) is a major international
oil transportation project involving Russia, Kazakhstan, and
leading global energy companies. Its 1,500-kilometer pipeline
transports crude oil primarily from Kazakhstan's Tengiz,
Karachaganak, and Kashagan oil fields, as well as from Russian
producers. Around 80% of Kazakhstan's oil exports are transported
through the CPC pipeline system.
