Turkey moves to diversify gas supply after Russia row

ISTANBUL (Reuters) – Turkey is seeking to diversify its natural gas imports as increased tensions with its main supplier Russia has raised fears of a shortage in winter.

Moscow has established a reputation as a reliable supplier to Ankara by increasing gas supplies to Turkey when Iran cuts its exports to meet domestic demand, a near annual occurance.


But fears about Russia’s reliability as a partner have risen since a recent trade row that began when Russian customs officials curbed Turkish exports. Moscow has offered no explanation and Turkey has since responded in turn.

“Turkey is in a sort of a bind, because it is vulnerable to Russia for more than 60 percent of its natural gas and 50 percent of its oil. And it is vulnerable because we see there are no alternatives,” said Wolfango Piccoli, analyst at Eurasiagroup.

Reuters