**Turkish Imports of Russian Oil Drop Sharply**
Turkey’s imports of Russian oil have fallen sharply since harsher sanctions were imposed earlier this year. The Moscow Times reported on February 27 that Turkish imports of Russian oil had plummeted.
**US and UK Impose Sanctions**
The US and UK passed sweeping sanctions against Russia’s oil sector on January 10, targeting Moscow’s “shadow fleet” of tankers. This move was aimed at cutting off Russia’s ability to sell its oil globally.
**Turkish Imports Fall**
Shipments of Russian Urals, the country’s flagship crude oil, have dropped to a low not seen since December 2022. Turkish imports of Russian Urals fell to 0.24 million tons in February, down from 1.56 million tons in January.
**Turkey Stops Accepting Russian Crude**
Turkey’s top refiner, Turkiye Petrol Rafinerileri (Tupras), has stopped accepting shipments of Russian crude, demanding that they comply with the $60 per barrel G7 price cap. This change in policy began after the Jan. 10 sanctions.
**Impact on Russian Oil Companies**
The drop in Turkish demand for Russian oil has impacted operations at Gazprom Neft and Surgutneftegaz, major Russian oil and gas companies, and has affected over 180 tankers of the so-called “shadow fleet.”
**Turkey Seeks Alternative Oil Sources**
Amid sanctions on Russian oil, Turkey has sought to import from other producers. Turkish imports of oil from Africa reached a five-year high in February.
**Turkish Imports of African Oil Increase**
Turkish imports of Nigerian Forcados Blend oil reached 0.26 million tons in February, the highest amount the nation has purchased from Nigeria since 2020. The country imported 0.36 million tons of Libyan Es Sider and Amna grade oil in February compared to only 80,000 tons in January.
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