The share of Turkish natural gas imports from Russia decreased by 26 percent in February compared to the same month of 2015 while Turkey's overall imports fell by 14.5 percent, according to Turkish energy watchdog data.
Turkey's natural gas imports fell by 14.5 percent from 4.63 billion cubic meter (bcm) to 3.96 bcm in February, Turkish Energy Market Regulatory Authority, EMRA announced on Thursday in its Natural Gas Market Report for February 2016.
The country imported 79 percent of its natural gas via pipelines and 21 percent through liquefied natural gas (LNG) facilities, EMRA's data shows.
Despite the 14.5 percent fall in Russian gas imports, Turkey increased its imports from Azerbaijan by 14 percent and Algeria by 26 percent.
Turkish natural gas production rose from 30.92 million cubic meters (mcm) to 32.43 mcm in February 2016, the majority of which came from the north-western Tekirdag province.
The highest natural gas consumption was seen in Istanbul, Turkey's most populated city with 932 mcm in February. Turkish capital Ankara and western province of Izmir Istanbul followed in second and third place.
Turkey's monthly natural gas consumption reached a historic record high at 5.78 billion cubic meters (bcm) in January 2016.
In February 2016, Turkish households consumed 1.83 bcm and electricity production facilities consumed 1.23 bcm.
Turkey supplies 48 percent of its electricity demand through natural gas combined cycle plants, according to EMRA 2014 data.
By Muhsin Baris Tiryakioglu
Anadolu Agency
muhsin.tiryakioglu@aa.com.tr