Türkiye Locks In Azerbaijan Gas as Russian Talks Near 2026 Deadline
By Bosphorus News Energy Desk
Türkiye has added a long-term Azerbaijani gas agreement to its supply map while BOTAŞ continues talks with Gazprom over Russian contracts that expire at the end of 2026.
The agreement, signed by BOTAŞ with SOCAR, TotalEnergies and ADNOC's XRG, covers natural gas from Azerbaijan's Absheron field. Türkiye's Energy and Natural Resources Ministry said the deal will bring 33 billion cubic meters of gas to Türkiye over 15 years, starting in 2029.
The Absheron deal gives Ankara a new Caspian supply line before the Russian deadline closes. It also strengthens the Southern Gas Corridor, where Azerbaijani gas already reaches Europe through Georgia, Türkiye and onward pipeline links.
Energy Minister Alparslan Bayraktar has said BOTAŞ is negotiating with Gazprom on extending import contracts beyond 2026, with volumes and contract duration still undecided. The talks follow Türkiye's one-year extension of Russian gas purchases through TurkStream and Blue Stream, a file tracked earlier by Bosphorus News as Ankara sought more flexible terms while expanding liquefied natural gas capacity.
TurkStream remains a major route on the European side of the Russian gas map. Gas transmission through both offshore lines was scheduled to stop temporarily from June 2 to June 7 for planned maintenance at the receiving terminal in Kıyıköy, with South Stream Transport carrying out diagnostic and maintenance work.
The maintenance window was operational, not a supply crisis, but it underlined the weight now carried by the Black Sea route. Since Ukraine ended Russian gas transit at the start of 2025, TurkStream has carried a larger share of Russia's remaining pipeline gas exports toward southeastern and central Europe.
Türkiye's current gas file is not a simple choice between Russia and Azerbaijan. It is a contract calendar shaped by Russian pipeline volumes, Caspian gas, LNG flexibility and the price terms BOTAŞ can secure before the 2026 deadline closes.
Sources: Türkiye Energy and Natural Resources Ministry, Reuters, Bloomberg via Investing.com, Bosphorus News review and reporting.