Kazakhstan’s oil companies are analyzing a Trans-Caspian route through Azerbaijan to reduce dependence on exports via Russia

Major oil companies operating in Kazakhstan are analyzing, this year, an export route across the Caspian Sea to transport crude oil to Europe without transiting Russia. The initiative comes after Ukrainian drone attacks on Black Sea infrastructure and oil tankers disrupted Kazakhstan’s exports through the CPC pipeline.

The project would link the oil hub of Atyrau to the port of Aktau, from where crude oil would reach Baku, Azerbaijan. From there, the oil would be transported through Georgia and Türkiye along the Baku–Tbilisi–Ceyhan route to the Mediterranean Ceyhan terminal.

The feasibility study examines the construction of an underwater pipeline or a substantial expansion of the tanker fleet. The targeted capacity could reach 35 million tons annually. The results are due to be presented to shareholders in November, and the companies involved include Chevron, ExxonMobil, Eni, Shell, and TotalEnergies.

More than 80% of Kazakhstan’s oil exports currently pass through the CPC, which crosses Russia. The expansion of the Tengiz field, completed by Chevron after a $48 billion investment, is increasing pressure for an alternative. Kazakhstan currently transports only approximately 1.2 million tons annually through BTC, compared with more than 60 million tons through CPC.