CPC Blend is a light crude oil which was first introduced to the market at the end of 2001 with the commissioning of a 1,580km pipeline by the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC). The CPC Pipeline links major oil fields in Western Kazakhstan to a Black Sea export terminal opened in 2001 at Yuzhnaya Ozerreyevka, located 40km North-West of Novorossiysk in Russia. Since the inception of the CPC Pipeline, most of TCO’s production has been exported via this route. Initially, Tengiz was the only grade in the line, but over time other grades have been injected to where Tengiz now represents approximately 45% of the blend.
Pure Tengiz has been available on the market since 2007 as a result of two major initiatives, Sour Gas Injection and Second Generation Project, which had the combined effect of doubling production from 300 MBD to 600 MBD. With CPC Pipeline at capacity, none of this incremental oil has entered the CPC Pipeline and is exported by other means, as Tengiz.
Loading and Transportation
CPC Blend
The CPC Pipeline runs from Tengiz to a purpose built terminal at Yuzhnaya Ozerreyevka near Novorossiysk. There are injection points at Atyrau, Kazakhstan and also Kropotkin in Russia where other crude oil grades are added to the blend. The terminal has two Single Point Moorings (SPMs), where vessels are loaded at a water depth of 54-56 metres. Crude oil is pumped to the SPMs from a tank farm located 238m above sea level and 9km inland. CPC Blend is loaded onto Suezmax (120,000-145,000 DWT) and Aframax (80,000-90,000 DWT) vessels. Implementation of strict vessel vetting procedures, use of double hull tankers, and deep water loading set high safety standards.
Tengiz
Odessa – Tengiz crude oil, loaded onto railcars, is transported across Kazakhstan, Russia and Ukraine to be delivered into specially built, dedicated tankage in Odessa. At Odessa Aframax cargoes will be loaded, although smaller cargoes can be accommodated.
Feodosiya (Theodosia) – The second shipping outlet for Tengiz is through the Ukrainian port of Feodosiya where the crude is shipped in Aframax cargoes upon arrival directly from the Tengiz field via rail.
Batumi – Tengiz crude oil is also sent south by rail to Aktau, Kazakhstan then delivered across the Caspian Sea by a specialized fleet of high quality vessels to Baku, Azerbaijan and then by rail to Batumi in Georgia. As with Odessa, dedicated tankage will be used and typical cargo size will be Aframax.
Kulevi – In a similar logistical process to Batumi Tengiz Crude oil is also shipped from the Georgian port of Kulevi. Typical cargo size is also Aframax.
Refining Characteristics
Naphtha
Both grades have a high Naphtha yield which can contribute significantly as a blend stock in the gasoline pool after treatment. The Naphtha is suitable for reforming.
Jet/Kerosene
Both grades have a high Jet/Kerosene yield. The smoke point and freeze point meets Jet/Kerosene specification, however treatment is required to reduce mercaptan levels. CPC requires less treatment than Tengiz.
Diesel
High cetane, low density distillates are produced from both CPC blend and Tengiz with excellent cold flow properties.
Vacuum Gas Oil
Low metals and low nitrogen make the Vacuum Gas Oil an attractive feed for catalytic crackers and/or hydrocrackers.
Atmospheric Residuum
The Atmospheric Residuum has low MCRT, asphaltines, metals and nitrogen allowing significant upgrading potential in direct feed to catalytic crackers.
Vacuum Residuum
Both grades have a low yield with Tengiz having an exceptionally low yield. This is attractive to refiners looking to minimize the fuel oil stream. Tengiz Vacuum Residuum also has a very low viscosity which significantly reduces cutter requirements.
Processing Simplified
Chevron has extensive knowledge in the area of refining light high mercaptan crude oil. As the operator and largest partner of Tengizchevroil (TCO), Chevron provides technical expertise in support of the TCO crude marketing effort. This can take the form of technical consultations with TCO customers on processing CPC Blend crude oil and Tengiz crude oil. This assistance can be provided on site if requested.
Whole Crude Properties *
CPC Blend
| Property |
Measured |
| Gravity, API° |
45.30 |
| Gravity SG |
0.80 |
| Sulfur, wt% |
0.56 |
| Total Nitrogen, ppm |
332.20 |
| Acid Number, mg KOH/g |
0.06 |
| Pour Point, °C |
-15.00 |
| Charact. Factor (K-FACTOR) |
12.14 |
| Viscosity, cSt at 40°C (104°F) |
1.84 |
| Viscosity, cSt at 50°C (122°F) |
1.57 |
| Vanadium, ppm |
1.33 |
| Nickel, ppm |
1.56 |
| MCR, wt% |
0.70 |
| Ramsbottom Carbon, wt% |
0.61 |
| Asphaltenes, (H.C7) wt% |
0.07 |
Tengiz
| Property |
Measured |
| Gravity, API° |
46.42 |
| Gravity SG |
0.80 |
| Sulfur, wt% |
0.51 |
| Total Nitrogen, ppm |
145.18 |
| Acid Number, mg KOH/g |
0.04 |
| Pour Point, °C |
-15.97 |
| Charact. Factor (K-FACTOR) |
12.05 |
| Viscosity, cSt at 40°C (104°F) |
1.52 |
| Viscosity, cSt at 50°C (122°F) |
1.32 |
| Vanadium, ppm |
0.12 |
| Nickel, ppm |
0.07 |
| MCR, wt% |
0.39 |
| Ramsbottom Carbon, wt% |
0.33 |
| Asphaltenes, (H.C7) wt% |
0.05 |
* Disclaimer
While we believe that this assay is representative of the expected commercial crude, it does not guarantee production quality, and users are solely responsible for their use of the assay. No warranties are given regarding the assay accuracy or any results from its use. Chevron does not warrant or make any representations regarding the use or the results of the use of the foregoing opinion, information or data in this site in terms of their correctness, accuracy, results, use, quality, reliability, or otherwise.