Turkey: Energy Minister plans diesel imports from the deal between the US and Russia

Petrol station in Ankara (photo from 4 July): large import demand

Turkey wants to benefit from the controversial diesel agreement between the US and Russia. The deal between the two countries is important for the energy security of Turkey, energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar told the Turkish “Channel 7”. Referring to the agreement, the minister said: “Through the talks we are holding, we will bring some of this diesel to Turkey.” Further details did not mention Bayraktar.

The agreement was sharply criticized by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European politicians and some of Trump’s Republican party colleagues.

Bayraktar also announced that Turkey wants to massively expand its domestic gas production. In the first quarter of 2028, a second floating gas production platform should be put into operation. This will increase the daily production volume in the Black Sea to 45 million cubic meters. “We will then use our own gas in three out of four households in Turkey,” the minister said.

Turkish Energy Minister Bayraktar: “Through the talks we are holding, we will bring some of this diesel to Turkey.” ‘

On Saturday, Turkey sent its first floating promotion platform, the “Osman Gazi”, to the Black Sea. This move is expected to more than double daily production from Sakarya’s largest domestic gas field from currently 9.5 million to 20 million cubic meters.

Turkey is one of the largest gas markets in Europe and has so far depended almost entirely on imports for its needs. Last year, the country consumed 59 billion cubic meters of gas, while domestic production was only 3.1 billion cubic meters. Bayraktar also said that planned hydrocarbon exploration off the coast of Pakistan had been delayed by about six months because of the impact of the Iran war on the region.