Oil field
Kazakhstan (offshore Caspian). ~400,000+ bpd.
Updated August 8, 2026 · View on the live map →
Kazakhstan (offshore Caspian). ~400,000+ bpd. One of world's most technically challenging and expensive developments. ~$55B invested. Phase 2 planned. ~13 billion barrels reserves.
The most expensive oil field development in history. A consortium including Shell, Total, Eni, ExxonMobil, CNPC, and KazMunayGas has invested ~$55B with multiple delays and cost overruns. The extreme conditions (shallow water, high H₂S, sub-zero temperatures, environmental sensitivity of the Caspian) have made it a cautionary tale for mega-project investment. China's CNPC acquired a stake in 2013, gaining access to one of the world's last undeveloped super-giant reserves.
After a request from VP Vance on 31 July, Ukraine agreed to halt attacks on non-Russian tankers and infrastructure serving the CPC terminal, provided vessels carry no Russian cargo, are not Russian-owned and are not under Ukrainian sanctions. CPC shipments had resumed but remained below normal.
Four tankers heading to or loading at the CPC terminal near Novorossiysk (Nordic Zenith, Asia, Nissos Ios, Nelsa) were hit by drones on 17-20 July. CPC suspended loadings on 22 July as storage filled and Kazakhstan announced temporary output cuts on 23 July. Russia blamed Ukraine; Kazakhstan called the attacks unacceptable. CPC carries ~80% of Kazakh exports.