KazMunayGas chief: No economic alternative to CPC, but pipeline expansion studies underway
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KazMunayGas CEO Ashat Khasenov said on August 8 that there is currently no economic alternative to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) for Kazakhstan's oil exports. Speaking in Astana, he confirmed that the absence of a substitute does not mean the search has stopped, as feasibility studies are progressing for two alternative routes.
The CPC Dependence
Kazakhstan relies almost exclusively on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium for crude exports. Khasenov stated that by economics and volume there is no current alternative, but the search continues. The remark came during a public council meeting of the Samruk-Kazyna fund.
Diversification Options
Khasenov outlined two primary projects. The first is the expansion of all sections of the Kazakhstan-China oil pipeline, with Chinese partners now developing a feasibility study. The second is the Atyrau-Aktau route across the Caspian to Azerbaijan, where a separate feasibility study is also underway.
What's Next
KMG expects to move to detailed engineering once the feasibility studies are complete, though no timeline has been disclosed. Whether these routes can match CPC's capacity and cost-effectiveness remains uncertain.
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KazMunayGas chief: No economic alternative to CPC, but pipeline expansion studies underway
