Turkish Refineries Pivot Away from Russian Crude
Turkey significantly reduced its imports of Russia's flagship Urals crude oil in November, marking a notable shift in its energy procurement strategy. Shipping data from energy consultancies Kpler and LSEG indicates that Urals crude shipments to Turkey fell by 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) from October levels, settling at approximately 200,000 bpd last month. This decline comes as Western sanctions against Russian energy suppliers have tightened, prompting Turkish refineries to seek alternative crude grades.
Impact of Tightening Western Sanctions
The reduction in Russian oil imports is largely attributed to the increasing pressure from Western sanctions. New U.S. restrictions, specifically targeting Russian oil giants Lukoil and Rosneft, were announced on October 22, 2025, and became effective on November 21, 2025. These measures have limited the pool of suppliers available to Turkish refiners. Additionally, an upcoming European Union ban on fuel produced from Russian oil, slated for late January 2026, is further encouraging Turkish companies to diversify their crude sources.
Diversification Towards Kazakh and Iraqi Oil
In response to the decreased Urals shipments, Turkey has substantially increased its imports of alternative crude grades. Data from Kpler shows a significant boost in purchases of Kazakhstan's CPC Blend and KEBCO, as well as Iraq's Basrah crude.
- Kazakh CPC Blend: In November, Turkey imported 105,000 bpd of Kazakh CPC Blend, marking the highest volume of such imports since February 2024. While loaded from the Russian port of Yuzhnaya Ozereyevka, CPC Blend is predominantly produced by Kazakh companies and remains exempt from Western energy restrictions on Russian oil.
- Iraqi Basrah Crude: Imports of Iraqi crude are also on the rise, projected to reach 141,000 bpd in November, an increase from 99,000 bpd in October.
Major Turkish refineries, including SOCAR Turkey Aegean Refinery (STAR) and Tüpraş, are at the forefront of this diversification. STAR, which previously relied heavily on Russian oil, has secured shipments from Iraq, Kazakhstan, and other non-Russian producers for December delivery. Tüpraş is reportedly planning to halt Russian crude imports at one of its major refineries to ensure continued fuel exports to Europe without breaching impending restrictions.
Broader Context of Turkey's Energy Strategy
Turkey has emerged as one of the largest buyers of Russian crude since 2022, following the cessation of imports by European nations. It currently ranks as the second-biggest buyer of Urals after India among seaborne importers. This recent shift underscores Ankara's ongoing efforts to balance its energy security needs with the complexities of international sanctions and its broader strategy to diversify energy routes and resources.
5 Comments
Mariposa
This shows that international pressure can indeed be effective.
Bermudez
Turkey's pivot is a clear response to tightening Western sanctions, showing a pragmatic approach to avoid secondary penalties. It's less about a moral stance and more about protecting their own economic interests amidst geopolitical pressures.
Africa
This will just make oil more expensive for Turkish citizens, no real win.
Coccinella
Still funneling money through Russian ports for Kazakh oil – what's the actual change?
Muchacho
While Turkey's diversification efforts are commendable for reducing direct Russian crude imports, the long-term stability of these new supply chains, particularly from Iraq and Kazakhstan, remains to be seen.