Turkey has been increasing its imports of LNG from the US thanks to the cheap prices of the super-cooled fuel. Data from Turkey’s Energy and Regulatory Watchdog (EMRA) showed US LNG accounted for 19.5% of Turkey’s total natural gas imports in 2017. The share rose further to 22.5% in 2018 and 28% in 2019.
According to EMRA, Turkey imported 2.06 bcm of LNG or 52.5% of its total gas imports in March, marking the first time LNG imports outpacing pipeline gas imports. US LNG imports surged further in April to 2.88 bcm in April, 242% higher than a year earlier.
Besides low prices, Turkey’s expanded LNG infrastructure capacity contributed to higher imports. It also gives the country more flexibility to diversify its gas supply. This is expected to provide Turkey with a better position when negotiating long-term gas imports with Russia, Qatar, and Iran, which are due in 2022.
