Astana: Kazakhstan will redirect 260 thousand tons of oil in May through alternative routes, specifically toward the port of Ust-Luga and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), due to the suspension of oil transit via the Druzhba pipeline system. Asel Serikpayeva, an advisor to Kazakhstan's Minister of Energy and the official representative of the ministry, shared this information with Interfax.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Serikpayeva elaborated on the adjustments made to the May 2026 transit schedule toward Germany, specifically to the Schwedt refinery via the Druzhba system. The Ministry of Energy announced the planned redistribution of oil export volumes, which will now amount to 260 thousand tons. This redirection will see 100 thousand tons sent to the port of Ust-Luga, while 160 thousand tons will be transported via the CPC system.

Serikpayeva further explained that the change in flow direction has been coordinated with relevant shippers and is considered an operational adjustment. She emphasized that these changes do not impact Kazakhstan's annual oil production plan. The current transport infrastructure is sufficient to maintain stable exports and ensure the uninterrupted supply of crude oil to global markets.

Earlier, Kazakhstan's Energy Minister Yerlan Akkenzhenov mentioned that he had received unofficial information indicating that Russia would cease the transit of Kazakh oil to Germany through the Druzhba system in May. The minister noted that Kazakhstan had intended to send approximately 3 million tons of oil to Germany via the Druzhba pipeline by the end of 2026.

Additionally, it is noteworthy that Kazakhstan also utilizes the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline for transporting its oil to global markets.