CPC disruption forces Kazakhstan to send Kashagan crude directly to China

Currently, CPC is using just one of three SPMs, SPM-1, because SPM-2 was seriously damaged and SPM-3 is undergoing planned maintenance.

The crude will be exported from the Kashagan field to China, the world’s biggest importer, via the Atasu-Alashankou pipeline. The oil is produced at Kashagan by the NCOC consortium, which includes China’s CNPC and Japan’s Inpex.

CNPC is expected to ship some 30,000 tonnes of oil to China via the route, while Inpex will supply about 20,000 tonnes, the sources said.