Kazakhstan Changes Oil Route, Bypassing «Druzhba»

Export volumes for May redistributed between CPC and Ust-Luga

Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy has announced changes to oil export deliveries for May of this year. The adjustments concern crude oil that was originally planned to be transported via the «Druzhba» pipeline system to Germany. Now, the oil will be redirected to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) system and the port of Ust-Luga, reports nationalbusiness.kz.

«Due to adjustments in the transit schedule through the ‘Druzhba’ system toward Germany (Schwedt refinery) for May 2026, the Ministry of Energy announces the planned redistribution of export volumes amounting to 260,000 tons,» the statement reads.

According to the Ministry, 100,000 tons will be sent to the port of Ust-Luga and 160,000 tons to the CPC system.

Officials stated that the redirection of flows has already been agreed upon with shippers and is operational in nature.

«We emphasize that changes in transportation routes do not affect the fulfillment of the annual oil production plan. The existing transport infrastructure enables Kazakhstan to fully ensure export stability and uninterrupted crude supplies to global markets,» said Ministry spokesperson Assel SERIKPAEVA.

It should be recalled that on April 22, Kazakhstan’s Energy Minister Yerlan AKKENZHENOV commented at the Regional Environmental Summit on reports that Russia might halt exports of Kazakh oil to Germany. He noted that “according to unofficial sources, he knows this is true.”

The next day, April 23, the Kremlin confirmed the information. Presidential press secretary Dmitry PESKOV stated that the suspension of Kazakh oil exports via the «Druzhba» pipeline to Germany starting May 1 was due to technical factors.

Photo: kmg.kz.

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