BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 1. Kazakhstan’s
Ministry of Energy has rejected reports about a possible full
shutdown of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), saying the
current operational pause remains temporary.


According to the ministry, CPC temporarily suspended oil
pipeline operations on July 31, while continuing to receive crude
oil from shippers and filling its storage facilities. "Starting
from August 1, the volume of oil intake amounts to 100,000 tons per
day. Further increases in transportation volumes will depend on the
timely arrival of tankers for loading at the marine terminal," the
ministry said.


The ministry added that it remains in constant contact with CPC
and oil shippers, noting that the current situation is being
monitored.


Earlier, a tanker loading crude oil at 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.


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 CPC is a major international oil transportation project
involving Russia, Kazakhstan, and leading global energy companies.
The system includes a 1,500-kilometer pipeline transporting crude
oil primarily from Kazakhstan’s Tengiz, Karachaganak, and Kashagan
fields, as well as from Russian producers. About 80% of
Kazakhstan’s oil exports are transported through the CPC
system.