Kazakhstan's Minister of Energy, Yerlan Akkenzhenov, held a meeting with Her Excellency Julie Stufft, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the United States of America (USA) to Kazakhstan. The talks took place against the backdrop of news about new attacks on tankers near the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC).
WHAT ISSUES WERE DISCUSSED
The parties considered a wide range of issues concerning bilateral cooperation in the energy sector and confirmed their mutual interest in further strengthening the strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and the USA.
Particular attention was paid to issues of ensuring regional energy security, the reliable functioning of export infrastructure, and the stability of energy resource supplies to global markets.
WHAT WAS STATED FOLLOWING THE MEETING
Following the talks, the parties confirmed their readiness to continue an active dialogue within the framework of the Strategic Energy Partnership. As noted, the interaction is aimed at developing mutually beneficial cooperation, attracting investment, and implementing joint initiatives in the energy sector.
WHY THE MEETING DREW ATTENTION
On 19 July 2026, during the oil loading at the CPC marine terminal, tankers ASIA and NISSOS IOS were attacked. A fire broke out on board the tanker ASIA, which was quickly extinguished. No casualties or oil spills were recorded, but loading was temporarily suspended.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) and the Ministry of Energy condemned the attacks on the tankers, emphasising that such actions pose a threat to the safety of crews and international energy infrastructure.
On 21 July 2026, Kazakhstan halted the pumping of oil to the CPC marine terminal in the Russian port of Novorossiysk following a series of attacks on tankers. The terminal stopped receiving oil via the pipeline as shipping companies were wary of sending vessels to the area.
It later became known that oil production in Kazakhstan decreased after the shutdown of the export terminal on the Black Sea, through which the majority of Kazakhstan's oil supplies pass. The most significant reduction was recorded at the Tengiz field.
On 27 July 2026, the CPC resumed accepting oil from shippers and operations for its shipment via the marine terminal in the port of Novorossiysk.
On 30 July 2026, the tanker NIFFOS SIFNOS, which was loading oil at the CPC's offshore mooring facility, was attacked using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The resulting fire caused no casualties, and no oil spill occurred.
