MOSCOW, July 31 (Reuters) - Tengizchevroil, the operator of

the giant Tengiz field in Kazakhstan, has resumed oil exports

via the Georgian port of Batumi for the first time since March,

two sources told Reuters on Friday.

More than 80% of Kazakhstan's oil exports typically flow

through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, with the bulk

originating from the Caspian fields of Tengiz, Kashagan, and

Karachaganak.

But drone attacks as well as adverse weather have led to the

suspension of the CPC, and forced Tengizchevroil, or TCO, to

turn to alternative, more expensive, routes.

In the most recent disruption, the CPC on Thursday halted

crude oil shipments at its Black Sea terminal in Yuzhnaya

Ozereevka, near Novorossiysk, following a drone attack on

tankers, the consortium said. According to one of the sources,

approximately 20,000 metric tons of oil from Tengiz have been

shipped to the port of Batumi since the start of July. Both

sources declined to be named because they were not authorised to

speak publicly.

The restrictions on oil exports via the CPC have led to a

sharp decline in crude oil production in Kazakhstan in recent

weeks. The primary shareholder of TCO is Chevron ( CVX ) (50%);

other stakes in the project are held by ExxonMobil ( XOM )

(25%), KazMunayGas (20%), and Lukoil (5%).

The Batumi Oil Terminal is owned by KazTransOil, Kazakhstan's

state oil pipeline company.