SOCAR terminal may be included in EU sanctions — what we know so far

The Kulevi oil port and terminal operated by Azerbaijan’s state energy company SOCAR has been included in the European Union’s forthcoming 20th sanctions package against Russia, according to a source in Azerbaijan’s energy sector cited by haqqin.az.

The source said the decision is linked to the operation of a new oil refinery in Georgia, which has been processing Russian crude since last year and exporting refined products via the Kulevi terminal.

“Including Kulevi in the sanctions list is essentially a signal to Tbilisi to abandon the use of Russian oil,” the source said.

Price dynamics were cited as a key factor. Russian crude has reportedly been sold at Black Sea ports for $37–40 per barrel, making it particularly attractive for the Georgian refinery. At the same time, the plant has effectively not purchased Azerbaijani crude, despite earlier agreements on potential supplies.

SOCAR’s Kulevi terminal has an annual design capacity of up to 10 million tonnes of oil, oil products and petrochemicals, making it one of the region’s key logistics hubs.

The 20th EU sanctions package is expected to enter into force once formally approved by EU member states. The measures are primarily aimed at restricting maritime transshipment of Russian oil and closing existing logistical loopholes.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said the new sanctions focus on energy, financial services and trade, while EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the goal is to make Russia’s war effort increasingly costly.

SOCAR has not yet issued an official comment on the matter.

N.Tebrizli