Kazakhstan, Türkiye Discuss Increasing Oil Exports via BTC Pipeline

Kazakhstan and Turkey are actively discussing increasing Kazakh oil exports through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan (BTC) pipeline, aiming to diversify export routes and reduce reliance on Russian ports. Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan highlighted cooperation in the energy sector during high-level talks, with Kazakhstan already achieving a 12% rise in BTC pipeline exports in early 2025. Challenges to scaling exports include the need for upgrades to Kazakhstan's Aktau port and meeting pipeline crude quality standards. The discussions also encompassed broader collaboration in power generation, agriculture, and mining, with Kazakhstan inviting Turkish investments to address its electricity deficits and resource development. Additionally, Turkiye has commenced supplying Azeri natural gas to Syria via the Kilis pipeline, backed financially by Qatar, to improve Syria's electricity access significantly. Bilateral trade between Kazakhstan and Turkey reached $5 billion in 2024, with ambitions to expand Turkish exports to Kazakhstan.