The main export hub for Kazakh crude oil is poised to resume tanker loading operations today, following a series of drone attacks that had caused vessels to steer clear of the facility.

According to sources familiar with the matter who requested anonymity, at least one oil tanker is expected to dock on Monday at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal near Russia's Novorossiysk port to take on cargo. One of these sources indicated that following the resumption of loading activities, Kazakhstan would quickly be able to restart crude oil deliveries via pipeline to the terminal.

In recent weeks, multiple tankers either loading at the terminal or en route to it were targeted by drone strikes, leading ship owners to refuse docking at the port. This disruption forced Kazakhstan's major oil producers—led by Chevron's Tengizchevroil project—to cut output, even as the global crude market is already grappling with tight supply.

A representative for Chevron directed inquiries to the CPC, while the consortium's press office declined to comment. The CPC terminal serves as the primary export route for Kazakh crude, handling approximately 80% of the country's oil shipments, most of which originates from fields developed in partnership with international oil majors. Kazakhstan is also the second-largest supplier of crude oil to Europe.

Ukraine has not publicly claimed responsibility for the drone strikes, though its military has in recent days made repeated references to attacking unidentified oil tankers in the Black Sea. Notably, crude oil exports from this Russian port are not subject to Western sanctions restrictions.