Ukraine drone attack on Russian gas plant hits Kazakh output, sources say

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FILE PHOTO: A view shows the Orenburg gas processing plant of Gazprom in the Orenburg Region, Russia September 1, 2023. REUTERS/Alexander Manzyuk/File Photo

MOSCOW - A Ukrainian drone attack on Russias Orenburg gas plant has forced neighbouring Kazakhstan to reduce production at its Karachaganak oil and gas condensate field by 25% to 30%, two industry sources told Reuters on Monday.

One of the worlds largest gas processing plants, Orenburg was forced to suspend its intake of gas from Kazakhstan after the attack, Kazakhstans energy ministry said on Sunday.

Ukraine confirmed it hit a gas plant in the Orenburg region, some 1,700 kilometres (1,060 miles) east of the Russian border with Ukraine, and an oil refinery in the Samara region.

Kyiv has stepped up its attacks on Russian refineries and other energy facilities since August to try to disrupt fuel supplies and deprive Moscow of funding.

Output at Karachaganak on Monday was down to between 25,000 and 28,000 metric tons from the usual level of 35,000-35,500, according to two sources who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation.

They said Orenburg, which is controlled by gas producer Gazprom, might resume some gas intake from Karachaganak on Monday, however they declined to say when normal levels of supply would be restored.

Karachaganak produced around 263,000 barrels of oil per day in 2024. It is exported by the Caspian Pipeline Consortium via a Russian Black Sea terminal, as well as through Russias Druzhba pipeline to Germany.

The field is operated by a