Japan Plans to Import Crude Oil from Kazakhstan
Kazakh International News Agency report: According to the "Yomiuri Shimbun," Japan's oil and gas company INPEX is considering redirecting part of its crude oil imports from Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan toward the domestic market.
The report states that over 90% of Japan's oil imports currently come from the Middle East. However, due to ongoing conflicts in the region that have effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, concerns about the stability of oil supply are growing. As a result, Japan plans to diversify its oil sources.
It is understood that INPEX holds stakes in major oil fields in the Caspian Sea, including Kazakhstan’s Kashagan field (with a daily capacity of 430,000 barrels) and Azerbaijan’s ACG field (with a daily capacity of 350,000 barrels). Both fields produce medium and light crude oil, reportedly similar in quality to Middle Eastern crude.
Japanese media reports that the transportation route may go through the Red Sea and the Mediterranean, bypassing Africa’s Cape of Good Hope. Shipments from Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are expected to take between 25 to 55 days—more than double the time required for routes passing through the Strait of Hormuz, which takes around 20 days. This could consequently lead to increased transportation costs.
In addition, the Japanese government and oil companies are exploring the possibility of purchasing oil from South America. At the same time, Japan plans to increase oil supplies from the United States, which is Japan’s largest source of oil outside the Middle East. By 2025, U.S. crude oil imports are expected to account for 3.8% of Japan’s total crude oil imports.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1861148780641347/
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