Turkey’s Russian Urals Oil Imports Drop Sharply
oil
Turkey’s crude oil sourcing pattern shifted notably in November, as imports of Russia’s flagship Urals blend declined steeply, according to tanker-tracking insights compiled by energy consultancy Kpler and LSEG. The data reveal a meaningful change in the country’s supply mix, offering a fresh perspective on how global trade flows are adjusting under geopolitical and market pressures.
Turkey Cuts Back on Russian Urals
Newly aggregated shipping data show that Turkey’s intake of Russian Urals crude fell by nearly 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) in November relative to October. As a result, total Urals deliveries to Turkish ports slid to around 200,000 bpd last month.
This marks one of the most significant month-on-month reductions since Russia’s re-routing of oil flows following Western sanctions, highlighting Turkey’s evolving role as a key buyer.
Although consumption has retreated, LSEG historical trade flows illustrate that Turkey has been—after India—the second-largest maritime importer of Urals since 2022. This ranking underscores Turkey’s centrality in sustaining Russia’s crude exports even as global market conditions, price caps, and freight dynamics reshaped energy corridors.
Why the Decline Matters
The downsizing of Russian crude volumes to Turkey is more than a statistical footnote. It reflects shifting incentives for both buyers and sellers as price spreads, shipping availability, and regional refining needs evolve.
Turkey’s refiners, known for actively arbitraging crude grades based on economics, have increased flexibility due to diversified supply options across the Black Sea and Mediterranean basins. When the relative cost of Urals becomes less attractive—or when alternative grades offer better yields—import strategies adjust quickly.
The November decline may also indicate temporary disruptions or strategic stock decisions, yet the scale of the drop points to a market recalibration rather than a minor fluctuation.
Surge in CPC Blend Imports
Parallel to the decrease in Russian barrels, Turkey significantly ramped up its intake of Kazakhstan’s CPC Blend. According to the same LSEG datasets, imports rose to 105,000 bpd in November—the highest level since February 2024.
CPC Blend, a light and sweet crude widely preferred by refiners for its higher-value product slate, often becomes more appealing when regional price differentials narrow. Turkey’s strong November uptake suggests refiners were capitalizing on favorable economics or responding to product-margin incentives that boosted demand for lighter grades.
A Changing Flow Map in the Black Sea Region
Taken together, these data points highlight an ongoing rebalancing of Black Sea crude flows.
Russia continues to redirect Urals shipments toward price-insensitive markets, but Turkey’s November pullback indicates that even large buyers adjust swiftly when market conditions shift.
Kazakhstan’s rising presence in Turkey’s import mix also signals how Caspian exporters are solidifying their share in Mediterranean refining hubs amid changing freight and demand dynamics.
What Comes Next
Energy analysts will watch the coming months to see whether Turkey maintains lower Russian imports or if the November shift proves temporary. Several factors could shape the trajectory:
• Global benchmark spreads and crack margins
• Winter product demand in Turkey
• Availability of Russian barrels under expanding sanctions pressure
• CPC pipeline and loading stability
• Refinery maintenance cycles
If CPC Blend continues to price competitively, Turkey may further diversify away from heavy reliance on Urals, reinforcing the broader trend of dynamic and market-driven sourcing strategies among major importers.