Alarm on the Black Sea oil pipeline

The oil tanker named MATILDA, used for oil shipments in the Black Sea, was targeted by an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) attack on January 13. In a statement issued by Kazakhstan's national oil and gas company, KazMunayGaz, it was reported that the tanker was chartered by the Kazakh national maritime shipping company, Kazmortransflot.

It was noted that the attack took place near a facility belonging to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC).

DAMAGE ASSESSMENT UNDERWAY

The company stated that an explosion occurred during the attack, but no fire broke out. According to initial inspections, it was stated that there was no serious structural damage to the tanker, and it was reported that the crew escaped the incident unharmed. Damage assessment efforts are reportedly continuing.

Following the attack, KazMunayGaz announced that the technical condition of the vessel is being evaluated in coordination with partners and relevant institutions, and that potential risks regarding oil shipments from the CPC terminal are being examined.

SHIPMENTS CONTINUE, SINGLE TERMINAL IN USE

The Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan also announced in a statement regarding the matter that oil shipments via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium are currently continuing, but that loadings are being carried out only through the “VPU-1” terminal. The ministry stated that the process is being closely monitored and that they are in constant contact with international partners.

CPC HAD BEEN TARGETED PREVIOUSLY

The incident was confirmed following reports in foreign media that two oil tankers had been attacked near the CPC loading terminal in the Black Sea.

The CPC pipeline, which transports approximately 80 percent of Kazakhstan's oil exports, was attacked by Ukrainian unmanned maritime vehicles on November 29, 2025. As a result of this attack, the “VPU-2” loading terminal was disabled, and Kazakhstan announced that it had temporarily reduced its oil production by 480 thousand tons.

News Source: 12punto