OREANDA-NEWS. On July 28, 2008 Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) loaded its 1500th with crude oil at its Marine Terminal in Novorossiysk, reported the press-centre of CPC.

The first tanker at the CPC Marine Terminal had been loaded on October 13, 2001. In total CPC has loaded out over 160 mln metric tons or over 1,250 mln bbls of crude oil since the start of operations.

CPC connects oil fields in Western Kazakhstan to the Russian Black sea coast. Russian crude injections into the pipeline system first started at the Kropotkin Pump Station in the Krasnodar Krai in 2004.

The CPC pipeline is an automated robust oil transportation system using state-of-the-art engineering design solutions and technologies. The venture continuously improves its production capabilities. Currently the consortium is implementing a number of projects to upgrade its pipeline system infrastructure aimed to improve environmental performance, ensure reliable and efficient equipment and system operation. Specifically, the initial pipeline section in Kazakhstan is under refurbishment, work is in progress to convert Kropotkin pump drives to gas fuel and an external power supply construction project is underway at the Marine Terminal.

CPC’s equity capital is split between the Founding Governments and private oil companies. The interests of the CPC Founding Governments are as follows: Russia – 24%, Kazakhstan – 19%, Sultanate of Oman – 7%. Private oil companies participating in the Consortium are Chevron Caspian Pipeline Consortium Company - 15%, LUKARCO B.V. - 12,5%, Rosneft-Shell Caspian Ventures Limited - 7,5%, Mobil Caspian Pipeline Company - 7,5%, Agip International (N.A.) N.V. - 2%, BG Overseas Holding Limited - 2%, Kazakhstan Pipeline Ventures LLC - 1,75% and Oryx Caspian Pipeline LLC - 1,75%.