Expert Mitrakhovich assessed the reduction in the volume of Russian oil purchases by Turkey

Turkey has reduced its purchases of Russian oil after the start of repairs at the STAR oil refinery (refinery) near Izmir. Against this background, while the company is unable to process raw materials and produce fuel, the country may increase imports of finished oil products from Russia, Stanislav Mitrakhovich, a leading expert of the National Energy Security Fund and the Financial University under the Government of the Russian Federation, has not ruled out. He told Izvestia on September 24.

In August, Turkey imported less than 200,000 barrels of oil per day from Russia, while in June the figure was at the level of 400,000-450,000 barrels per day, according to Kpler data. The decline in volumes is due to maintenance at the STAR refinery.

"This is an understandable phenomenon, by definition temporary. I do not exclude that Turkey at this time will increase, perhaps, the purchase of oil products from Russia and for its own needs. As you know, Turkey buys oil products in Russia, diesel first of all, and some others. Maybe it will also buy for resale," said Mitrakhovich.

At the same time, the expert expressed the opinion that Turkey will remain an important partner of Russia. When the repair of the refinery is over, the Turkish side will resume oil purchases. In the meantime, Ankara will buy oil products and the part of oil that is processed at other enterprises.

"I do not see any grounds for Turkey to take any fundamental course to abandon cooperation with Russia, nothing like that is observed," Mitrakhovich concluded.

Earlier, on August 20, the general director of the OPEN OIL MARKET marketplace Sergei Tereshkin suggested that oil exports from Russia will increase by more than 10% by the end of the year. He specified that the indicators will be affected, among other things, by the softening of OPEC+ quotas.