The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) comprised the Governments of the Russian Federation, Republic of Kazakhstan, and Sultanate of Oman, plus the oil / gas companies ChevronTexaco, LukArco, ExxonMobil, Rosneft-Shell, Agip, British Gas, Oryx, and Kazakhstan Pipeline Ventures.
Phase 1 involved refurbishing a 753-kilometer segment of pipeline; constructing 740 kilometers of 40- and 42-inch diameter pipeline and two pump stations; and refurbishing/upgrading three pump stations. The project scope also included construction of a marine terminal for loading 300,000-ton tankers.
The route crossed several hundred rivers and canals, including the 1.5 kilometers-wide Volga River. The tank farm contained four 100,000-cubic-meter tanks, the largest in Russia at the time.
Ecosystems were studied to identify rare plant and animal species and methods determined for their protection. The State Committee of the Russian Federation and regional environmental agencies approved all environmental aspects of the project. In addition, all design, construction, and operational solutions of the pipeline system had to conform to the most stringent standards set by the European Union, the World Bank, the European Bank of Reconstruction and Development, and other international organizations.