Turkey Reduces Imports of Russian Oil

Turkey's major oil refineries have started to limit purchases of Russian oil in response to new Western sanctions against Russia, Reuters reports, citing industry sources.

According to the report, SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR) recently acquired four batches of oil from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and several other countries. This move will significantly reduce the share of Russian oil, bringing the previous daily intake of about 210,000 barrels down to an alternative supply level of 77,000 to 129,000 barrels.

Another major oil refinery in Turkey, Tupras, is also actively increasing oil imports from Iraq, opting for crude with similar characteristics to Urals. Sources indicate that the company may soon entirely cease importing Russian oil at one of its plants to maintain the possibility of fuel exports to Europe under the new EU sanctions provisions.

These changes reflect Turkey's strategy to diversify its oil supply routes and reduce energy dependence on Russia under the constraints of Western restrictions.