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Turkey’s top refiner Tupras stops Russian crude purchases after sanctions

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on February 18, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 26, 2026

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Turkey's Tupras oil refinery halts Russian crude purchases due to sanctions - Global Banking & Finance Review
The image illustrates Turkey's largest oil refiner, Tupras, which has ceased buying Russian crude oil following U.S. sanctions. This decision reflects significant shifts in Turkey's oil import strategy amidst geopolitical tensions.
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LONDON (Reuters) - Turkey’s largest oil refiner Tupras has stopped buying Russian crude because of U.S. sanctions announced on January 10 against Russian energy companies and tankers carrying Russian

Tupras Halts Russian Crude Purchases Amid New U.S. Sanctions

LONDON (Reuters) - Turkey’s largest oil refiner Tupras has stopped buying Russian crude because of U.S. sanctions announced on January 10 against Russian energy companies and tankers carrying Russian oil, the company said on a call following an earnings report.

"With the latest sanctions imposed, we have stopped buying Urals and we will receive the final cargoes during February," said Levent Bayar, Tupras executive director of investor relations.

Tupras had become one of the biggest importers of Russian crude since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russian oil represented 65% of Turkey’s total oil imports in January-November 2024, according to data from Turkey's energy regulator.

Tupras imported 225,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Russian crude in 2024, the highest on record and up from 178,000 bpd in 2023, according to shipping data analytics firm Kpler. Tupras’s Russian crude imports nearly doubled from 2021 to 2022 at 170,000 bpd, Kpler data showed.

Tupras on Tuesday reported a full-year net profit of 18.32 billion lira ($505.13 million) versus a profit of 77.35 billion a year before.

($1 = 36.2680 lira)

(Reporting by Enes Tunagur; Editing by David Holmes)

Key Takeaways

  • Tupras stops Russian crude purchases due to U.S. sanctions.
  • Russian oil made up 65% of Turkey's imports in early 2024.
  • Tupras imported 225,000 bpd of Russian crude in 2024.
  • The company reported a net profit of 18.32 billion lira.
  • Sanctions target Russian energy companies and tankers.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Tupras stop buying Russian crude?
Tupras stopped buying Russian crude due to U.S. sanctions announced on January 10 against Russian energy companies.
What percentage of Turkey's oil imports came from Russia?
Russian oil represented 65% of Turkey’s total oil imports in January-November 2024.
How much Russian crude did Tupras import in 2024?
Tupras imported 225,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Russian crude in 2024, the highest on record.
What was Tupras' net profit for the year?
Tupras reported a full-year net profit of 18.32 billion lira ($505.13 million), compared to a profit of 77.35 billion a year before.
When will Tupras receive its final cargoes of Russian crude?
Tupras will receive the final cargoes of Russian crude during February.

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