Tupras, Turkey’s biggest oil refining company, has stopped purchasing crude oil from Russia due to the latest U.S. sanctions. Instead, the company is now turning to Brazil for its oil needs.
On January 10, the United States announced strict new sanctions targeting Russia’s oil industry. These sanctions blacklisted 183 vessels linked to Russian oil exports. This included both ships directly controlled by Russia and other vessels that had been secretly helping Russia avoid previous sanctions. These new restrictions made it harder and riskier for companies like Tupras to keep buying Russian oil.
For a long time, Tupras was one of the biggest buyers of Russian crude oil, especially after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022. Just in 2024, the Turkish company had been purchasing around 305,000 barrels of Russian oil every day. But with the new sanctions in place, continuing to import oil from Russia became more difficult.
The U.S. measures severely limited Russia’s ability to transport oil by sea, as many of the newly sanctioned ships made up a large portion of Russia’s oil shipping capacity. With these sanctions affecting about 30% of Russian oil transport vessels, Tupras had to quickly find another source to keep its refineries running.
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Tupras Turns to Brazil’s Petrobras for Oil Supply
As a result of the new restrictions, Tupras has now shifted its oil purchases to Brazil’s state-owned oil company, Petrobras. The company is now importing Itapu crude oil from Brazil. Itapu is a type of crude oil extracted from offshore fields in Brazil and is known for its quality and suitability for refining.
According to tracking data from trade intelligence firms Kpler and LSEG, about 1 million barrels of Itapu crude were loaded onto the tanker Joao Candido on March 12. The shipment is expected to arrive at Turkey’s Izmit port, located in Kocaeli, on April 3 or 4. This port is home to one of Tupras’ major refineries, which can process up to 225,800 barrels of oil each day.
The switch to Brazilian oil marks a significant shift for Tupras, which had long relied on Russia for its crude supply. Brazil’s national oil company, Petrobras, has been increasing its crude oil exports in recent years, making it a viable alternative for countries looking to replace Russian imports.
The decision to switch to Brazilian crude comes at a crucial time when global oil markets are facing disruptions. Many countries are seeking alternative sources to replace sanctioned Russian crude, leading to changing trade patterns worldwide. Tupras’ move is one of the many adjustments happening in the energy sector.
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Tupras’ Position in the Global Oil Market
Founded in 1983, Tupras is Turkey’s leading refinery company and plays a major role in the country’s energy sector. The company operates four large refineries across Turkey and has a total refining capacity of 28.1 million tons per year. This makes Tupras the seventh-largest oil refinery in Europe and the 28th largest in the world.
As a company that refines and supplies fuel for industries, transportation, and households across Turkey, Tupras must ensure a steady flow of crude oil. For years, Russia was a key supplier because of its competitive pricing and close geographical location. However, with the growing pressure from U.S. sanctions, the company had to act quickly to secure alternative supplies.
The latest decision to source oil from Brazil shows how global oil trade is shifting due to geopolitical events. As sanctions continue to impact Russia’s oil exports, more companies may look to alternative suppliers like Brazil, the Middle East, or the United States to fill the gap. For Tupras, this move ensures it can keep its refineries running without disruptions while complying with international regulations.
With this new shift, all eyes will be on how Tupras continues to manage its oil sourcing and whether further changes will be necessary in the coming months.
