According to the Energy Market Regulatory Authority (EPDK), Türkiye's natural gas imports amounted to 19.2 billion cubic meters in the first quarter of the year. During the same period, imports of petroleum and petroleum products amounted to 3.32 million tonnes.
In January, the USA led the way in natural gas imports with a share of around 35.7 percent, while Russia had a share of around 35 percent and Azerbaijan had a share of 13.4 percent. While the USA maintained its top position in February with a share of 27.2 percent, Russia moved up to first place in March.
When it comes to importing oil and petroleum products, Russia maintained its position as the main supplier, while Iraq, Kazakhstan and Saudi Arabia also had a significant share.
In January, Russia covered about 49.7 percent of total oil imports, while Iraq received a share of 14 percent and Saudi Arabia over 9 percent. While Iraq and Kazakhstan's shares rose in February, Russia came first in March with a share of around 49.6 percent.
At a time when disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20 percent of global energy trade passes, are increasing concerns about security of supply, Turkey, with its diversified supply structure, has not faced significant problems in the supply of natural gas and crude oil, serving as an alternative route in regional energy flows.
The Ceyhan terminal plays a key role in the global flow of oil
In this context, the Ceyhan terminal stands out, which is one of the main exit points through which Iraqi and Azerbaijani oil is opened to world markets.
Turkey, which imports oil largely by sea, is becoming the strategic center from which regional oil flows are delivered to global markets with the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline and the Turkey-Iraq crude oil pipeline.
While Azerbaijani oil is transported to the Ceyhan terminal via the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan line and from there shipped by tankers to global markets, this line serves as an alternative corridor that reduces dependence on Russia not only for Azerbaijan, but also for producers such as Kazakhstan.
According to BOTAŞ, although around 30.9 million barrels of oil were transported through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline, which has an annual capacity of 50 million tons, in the first two months of the year, the line is also the crucial route that transports Caspian oil to world markets via the route outside Russia and Iran.
The Türkiye-Iraq crude oil pipeline, which transports Iraqi oil to world markets via Ceyhan, also plays an important role in this flow.
The daily capacity of the Türkiye-Iraq crude oil pipeline, which runs from Kirkuk to Ceyhan and was restarted in March this year, is about 1.5 million barrels. With the resumption of shipping from the line, exports are expected to increase to 170,000 barrels per day in the first phase and then to 250,000 barrels, while this flow strengthens the Türkiye's role in oil production from the north reaching the Mediterranean.
Strong support from Türkiye for Europe's natural gas supply security
Türkiye, which supplies natural gas from Russia, Azerbaijan and Iran through international pipelines, strengthens its position as a central country in this area.
While gas from Russia is delivered directly to Türkiye via Blue Stream with an annual capacity of 16 billion cubic meters, TurkStream consists of two parallel lines with a total capacity of 31.5 billion cubic meters. While one of these lines serves Türkiye's domestic consumption, the other line is used to transport gas to southern and southeastern Europe.
While natural gas from Azerbaijan is transported to Türkiye via the Baku-Tbilisi-Erzurum natural gas pipeline with an annual capacity of around 24 billion cubic meters, this line represents the first connection of the Southern Gas Corridor.
While the gas that reaches Türkiye via this line is transported west via the Trans-Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP), the transport to Europe takes place via the Trans-Adriatic Pipeline (TAP).
TANAP, which stretches across Turkey, has an annual capacity of around 16 billion cubic meters. Approximately 6 billion cubic meters of this capacity is intended for domestic consumption in Türkiye, while 10 billion cubic meters will be sent to Europe. Gas transported via TANAP reaches the European market through the connection with TAP on the Turkish-Greek border.
While TAP operates with an annual capacity of around 10 billion cubic meters, the line's capacity can technically be increased up to 20 billion cubic meters. Thanks to the pipeline integrated into the Italian natural gas network, Azerbaijani gas can be transported to various regions of Europe via exit points in Italy.
In addition, the Iğdır-Nakhichevan natural gas pipeline was put into operation last year as one of the last links of energy cooperation between Türkiye and Azerbaijan. The pipeline, which has a daily capacity of around 2 million cubic meters, is intended to cover Nakhichevan's natural gas needs via Türkiye and at the same time significantly reduce the region's gas dependence on Iran.
The flow of natural gas from Iran to Türkiye occurs via the Iran-Türkiye natural gas pipeline. Through this line, which has an annual technical capacity of about 14 billion cubic meters, it is planned to supply up to 9.6 billion cubic meters of gas annually under the long-term agreement between Türkiye and Iran.
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