Kazakhstan suspends $5.1 bln Kashagan fine, halts CPC loadings after drone strikes

September 11, 2026 at 05:03 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Kazakhstan's Justice Ministry confirmed on September 9 it suspended collection of a 2.3 trillion tenge ($5.1 billion) environmental fine against the North Caspian Operating Company. The Energy Ministry said loading at the CPC Marine Terminal was temporarily halted after drone attacks near Novorossiysk on September 8. The moves affect the Kashagan oil field operator and the pipeline that carries about 80% of Kazakhstan's oil exports.

Key Facts

The Justice Ministry suspended collection of a 2.3 trillion tenge ($5.1 billion) environmental fine against NCOC on September 9.
The Energy Ministry said loading at the CPC Marine Terminal was temporarily halted after drone attacks near Novorossiysk on September 8.
The Caspian Pipeline Consortium runs 1,800 km from Atyrau to Novorossiysk and transports around 80% of Kazakhstan's oil exports.
The US Treasury added Kazakhstan-based Tour Invest to its Iran-related sanctions list on September 8 for serving as a general sales agent for Mahan Air.
Elena Rybakina became the first Kazakhstani tennis player to reach No. 1 in the world rankings after beating Qinwen Zhang at the US Open on September 9.

Kashagan Fine Suspension

The Ministry of Justice confirmed on September 9 that it had suspended collection of a 2.3 trillion tenge ($5.1 billion) environmental fine against the North Caspian Operating Company. The ministry added that it still intends to enforce the fine. NCOC, which operates the Kashagan oil field, was fined in 2023 for the inappropriate storage of sulfur byproducts.

CPC Export Disruption

After drone attacks near Russia's Black Sea port of Novorossiysk on September 8, loading operations at the CPC Marine Terminal were temporarily halted, the Ministry of Energy said. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium runs 1,800 km from Atyrau to Novorossiysk and transports around 80% of Kazakhstan's oil exports.

Sanctions and Rankings

Kazakhstan-based company Tour Invest was added to an updated list of Iran-related sanctioned entities by the US Treasury on September 8. Tour Invest, according to the official press release, has served as a general sales agent for Mahan Air, a major private airline in Iran under sanctions since 2011. In a first for Kazakhstan, tennis player Elena Rybakina secured the No. 1 global ranking in women's singles following her victory over Qinwen Zhang of China on September 9 at the US Open.