As Turkey’s second-largest supplier of liquefied natural gas this past winter, the United States has become a significant player in the country’s gas industry. By topping five billion cubic meters and surpassing more established suppliers like Iran and Azerbaijan, U.S. liquefied natural gas supply to Turkey has more than doubled over the prior year. Azerbaijan delivered 2.7 billion cubic meters of gas, but Iran only provided 830 million cubic meters, a dramatic 39 percent decrease, while Russia continues to be Turkey’s top supplier at about 6 billion cubic meters. This change represents a substantial overhaul of Turkey’s energy policy, which aims to diversify its energy sources and lessen reliance on pipeline imports from Iran and Russia.
U.S. liquefied natural gas supply to Turkey has more than doubled over the prior year.
The United States exports most of its liquified natural gas from ports such as Sabine Pass in Louisiana. Specialized liquefied natural gas vessels with a capacity of approximately 170,000 cubic meters then transport the fuel across the Atlantic and Mediterranean, a voyage that takes between sixteen and eighteen days.
These vessels dock beside floating storage and regasification units at Turkey’s import facilities, which include terminals in Aliaga, Dortyol, Marmara Ereğlisi, and Saros Bay. Following delivery, Turkey regasifies the liquefied natural gas and injects it into Turkey’s internal pipeline system for distribution. Turkey can quickly adapt its spot acquisitions to market volatility or geopolitical threats because of expanding import infrastructure and the adaptability of floating storage and regasification units.
In light of regional instability and U.S. sanctions on Russian energy companies, Turkey’s growing reliance on U.S. liquefied natural gas represents a purposeful and strategic policy to improve energy security. Diversification decreases Turkey’s susceptibility to politically sensitive supply disruptions and increases Turkey’s bargaining power in energy talks. From Washington’s standpoint, sustained assistance for Turkey’s long-term trade agreements and liquefied natural gas infrastructure strengthens bilateral economic connections, supports NATO’s energy resilience, and increases American influence in a strategically significant area. Furthermore, U.S. liquefied natural gas exports may acquire secondary access to markets in the Balkans, the Caucasus, and even Eastern Europe if Turkey can establish itself as a regional energy hub.
The United States has established itself as one of the world’s leading liquefied natural gas suppliers, especially for Europe and Asia. With 82 percent of February’s 8.35 million tons heading to European countries, U.S. liquefied natural gas shipments to Europe reached a record high in early 2025. The United Kingdom dominated imports. During this time, 58 percent of Europe’s total liquefied natural gas imports came from the United States, which helped restore stockpiles against the backdrop of dwindling Russian supplies. Supported by increased U.S. production from new terminals like Plaquemines LNG in Louisiana, which currently exports 1.8 billion cubic feet per day, important importers included the Netherlands, France, Spain, and Italy.
The United States is also growing its liquefied natural gas presence in Asia, working with South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Japan.
The United States is also growing its liquefied natural gas presence in Asia, working with South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia, and Japan. These countries have signed multi-decade contracts with American exporters, motivated by long-term energy security objectives and wider geopolitical concerns. For example, Japan strengthened its energy diversification policy by concluding a twenty-year contract with Cheniere Energy’s Sabine Pass facility. Since more than 70 percent of the world’s liquefied natural gas demand comes from the Asia-Pacific, U.S. shipments are progressively completing supply shortages left by more established suppliers like Qatar, Australia, and Russia. Despite longer transit routes, the Gulf Coast’s advantageous location near the Panama Canal allows for affordable delivery to Asian markets, boosting American competitiveness internationally.
The growing U.S.-Turkey energy partnership, especially in liquefied natural gas, increases American influence in the Eastern Mediterranean and lessen allies’ reliance on hostile energy sources such as Russia and Iran. While such trade in theory expands U.S. geopolitical leverage, it remains unclear how and if the United States will expend such influence.
