Turkey has doubled its imports of discounted Russian crude, now averaging over 200,000 barrels per day (bpd) so far this year through August. That is up from 98,000 bpd over the same period the previous year, according to Refinitiv Eikon data.

Turkey’s Tupras and STAR refineries significantly increased their intake of both Urals and Siberian Light grades, as they cut back on their intake of North Sea, Iraqi, and West African grades.

According to the data, the STAR refinery bought roughly 90,000 bpd on average of Russian oil between January and August of 2022. That was compared to 48,000 bpd during the same period the year before.

The data also showed Tupras bought roughly 111,000 bpd of Russian oil over the same period, up from the pervious year’s figures of only 45,000 bpd.

A trader in the Mediterranean oil market said, “The choice for Turkey’s refiners was obvious as they have no limits on Russian oil buying.”

Ankara and Moscow had agreed this month to strengthen ties in trade, transport, agriculture, finance, tourism and construction. The countries agreed to increase bilateral trade to $100 billion by 2030, as well as cooperate on new energy projects. Turkey also agreed it would begin paying for some gas imports in rubles.