Kazakhstan has reached an unprecedented level of oil production despite significant damage to its primary export route, the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), caused by a recent Ukrainian drone attack. Industry sources revealed on Thursday that the country’s oil and gas condensate output surged to approximately 2.12 million barrels per day (bpd) on February 19, citing undisclosed official data.
The CPC, which transports over 80% of Kazakhstan’s oil exports, suffered a 30-40% reduction in capacity due to the attack. This disruption has raised questions about how Kazakhstan managed to achieve record output levels, as production typically aligns with available export infrastructure. The CPC pipeline, spanning 1,500 kilometers, is a critical artery for Kazakh crude, particularly from the Tengiz oilfield, operated by Chevron-led Tengizchevroil, which is undergoing a $48 billion expansion.
Despite the pipeline damage, Kazakhstan’s energy ministry confirmed that oil supplies remain uninterrupted. The Tengiz oilfield alone contributed over 920,000 bpd on February 19, up from 900,000 bpd earlier in the month and significantly higher than January’s average of 640,000 bpd.
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that the attack’s impact on the CPC would ripple through global energy markets, emphasizing the challenges of repairing the pipeline due to reliance on Western equipment. A 30-40% capacity reduction equates to a loss of 500,000-680,000 bpd, according to Reuters calculations.
The CPC consortium includes major stakeholders such as Chevron, Exxon Mobil, the Russian government, Lukoil, and Kazakhstan’s state-owned KazMunayGas. Kazakhstan’s ability to maintain and even increase production amid these challenges highlights its growing role in global energy markets, though the lack of alternative export routes remains a vulnerability.