Russian gas transit through Türkiye jumps as Strait of Hormuz shuts

Russian energy giant Gazprom increased its average daily natural gas shipments to Europe via the TurkStream undersea pipeline by 22% year-on-year to 55 million cubic metres in March, Reuters calculations showed on April 1.

The surge comes as the Strait of Hormuz, normally carrying around 20% of global crude, refined products, and liquefied natural gas, is largely blocked due to the ongoing Iran war, leaving energy markets exposed to supply risks.

With Ukraine opting not to renew a five-year transit agreement that expired in January 2025, Türkiye now serves as the sole route for Russian gas to Europe.

Data from the European gas transmission group Entsog indicate total Russian gas deliveries via TurkStream reached 1.7 billion cubic metres last month, up from 1.4 billion cubic metres in March 2025, and remained broadly stable compared with February.

For the first quarter, exports rose 11% year-on-year to about 5 billion cubic metres. 

Gazprom, which has not released its own monthly figures since early 2023, did not respond to requests for comment.

Last year, Gazprom’s gas exports to Europe dropped 44% to just 18 billion cubic metres, marking the lowest level since the mid-1970s, after the closure of the Ukrainian transit route, according to Reuters calculations. 

The company's gas exports ​to ⁠Europe fell 44% last year to just 18 bcm, the lowest since the mid-1970s, following the closure of the Ukrainian route, ⁠according ​to Reuters calculations.

Russian pipeline exports to Europe peaked at roughly 180 billion cubic metres annually in 2018-2019.

By Jeyhun Aghazada