Kashagan's first oil shipment on its way to Baku

The Kazakh tanker Taraz, carrying Kashagan oil, has departed from the port of Aktau, heading toward Baku, according to a statement from the press service of KazMunayGas. This delivery is part of KazMunayGas' efforts to implement President Tokayev's instructions on diversifying export routes for Kazakhstan's hydrocarbons.

The oil will be transported via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline to the Mediterranean Sea. The export was handled by KMG Kashagan B.V.

This development further strengthens the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route. In 2022, KazMunayGas and Azerbaijan’s SOCAR signed a framework agreement on the transit of Kazakh oil, and in March 2024, they agreed to gradually increase oil transit through Azerbaijan. The new agreement sets a target of 2.2 million tons per year.

Located on the Kazakh shelf of the Caspian Sea, near the city of Atyrau, the Kashagan oil field is one of the largest discoveries in recent decades. With estimated reserves ranging from 9 to 13 billion barrels of oil, it is a significant asset for Kazakhstan’s energy sector. Commercial production at Kashagan, which relies on the use of artificial islands, began in the fall of 2016.

In November 2024, Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Almasadam Satkaliyev revealed that the country is considering increasing its annual oil supplies through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline to 20 million tons. This move aims to significantly reduce Kazakhstan's reliance on Russian pipelines, potentially cutting supplies through Russia by over 80%.

Copied