Russian and Kazakh oil exports via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium’s (CPC) Black Sea terminal face at least one month’s disruption each once repairs begin on two of its three single mooring points (SPMs), CPC confirmed on Aug. 23.
Oil exports via the two SPMs have been suspended due to equipment damaged by bad winter weather, CPC said on Aug. 22, confirming a Reuters report on Aug. 20.
CPC added that a planned inspection of the third SPM at the Yuzhnaya Ozereyevka terminal would require it to be temporarily shut for a matter of hours. It said it was negotiating with shippers to shift loading schedules in order to complete the inspection by Aug. 26.
CPC added the one-month maintenance estimate for each of the two SPMs affected was approximate and may be adjusted and that it was currently looking for a firm to start the work.
Two SPMs at the terminal in March were damaged in a storm and returned to service in April.
The terminal handles about 1% of global oil supply and is the main route for most of Kazakhstan’s oil exports.
The third mooring point is working in an “intensive mode,” the consortium said, and will be able to load up to 3.5 million tonnes of oil per month.
That is 60%-70% of the terminal’s normal capacity, according to Reuters calculations.
The CPC Blend loading plan for August was set at 5.026 million tonnes, while September’s was set at 5.153 million tonnes. The plans will now have to be revised.
The largest oil supplier via CPC, Chevron-led Tengizchevroil (TCO), said its loadings via the route were “currently uninterrupted.” TCO lowered output on its Tengiz oil field in August due to planned maintenance, which is scheduled to finish in September.
The other major supplier via CPC pipeline, Kazakhstan’s Kashagan oil field, also cut output in August due to a gas leak early in the month and was gradually raising production.
The main shareholders in CPC are Russian pipeline operator Transneft with a 24% stake, Kazakhstan’s KazMunayGas with 19%, and the Chevron Caspian Pipeline Consortium Co. with 15%.
Others include LUKARCO B.V (12.5%), Mobil Caspian Pipeline Co. (7.5%), Rosneft-Shell Caspian Ventures Ltd. (7.5%) and Eni International (N.A.) N.V. S.a.r.l. (2%).
Recommended Reading
TPH: Lower 48 to Shed Rigs Through 3Q Before Gas Plays Rebound
2024-03-13 - TPH&Co. analysis shows the Permian Basin will lose rigs near term, but as activity in gassy plays ticks up later this year, the Permian may be headed towards muted activity into 2025.
For Sale, Again: Oily Northern Midland’s HighPeak Energy
2024-03-08 - The E&P is looking to hitch a ride on heated, renewed Permian Basin M&A.
E&P Highlights: Feb. 26, 2024
2024-02-26 - Here’s a roundup of the latest E&P headlines, including interest in some projects changing hands and new contract awards.
Gibson, SOGDC to Develop Oil, Gas Facilities at Industrial Park in Malaysia
2024-02-14 - Sabah Oil & Gas Development Corp. says its collaboration with Gibson Shipbrokers will unlock energy availability for domestic and international markets.
E&P Highlights: Feb. 16, 2024
2024-02-19 - From the mobile offshore production unit arriving at the Nong Yao Field offshore Thailand to approval for the Castorone vessel to resume operations, below is a compilation of the latest headlines in the E&P space.