SOCAR's Plant in Turkey Reduces Russian Oil Imports

The STAR oil refinery operated by SOCAR in Turkey has begun to reduce its procurement of Russian crude oil since last year. According to Fitch Solutions, by the end of 2025, the STAR refinery has started to cut down on purchases of Russian oil, reflecting a gradual geopolitical distancing.

Data indicates that the SOCAR STAR oil refinery in Turkey utilizes about 98% Russian crude oil, with 73% of its supplies sourced directly from Lukoil, which is under U.S. sanctions.

It has been noted that the refinery has begun exploring alternative supply sources and recently procured four batches of crude oil from Kazakhstan, Iraq, and other producers. This marks a departure from previous years when Russian oil constituted the primary share of the STAR plant's feedstock.