Business · Energy & Commodities · 13 hrs ago
US says Gulf oil flows have recovered to up to 90% of prewar levels
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright says Gulf oil flows have recovered to 80 to 90 per cent of their prewar levels, with as much as 14 million barrels a day moving through the Strait of Hormuz.
The strait is a key route for oil exports from the Gulf.
Shipping data from Kpler showed exports through the strait averaged just under 9 million barrels a day in September, about 44 per cent of the prewar level.
Wright's estimate also includes oil sent through pipelines that bypass the strait, so the figures cover different routes.
His comments came after Houthi attacks on Riyadh killed people and injured about 300; he condemned the attacks and reaffirmed US support for Saudi Arabia.
Even with crude supplies recovering, diesel, jet fuel and petrol prices remain elevated, and Wright said significant challenges persist.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright said Gulf crude flows have recovered to 80 to 90 per cent of prewar levels.
He said up to 14 million barrels of oil a day are passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
Kpler data showed Hormuz exports averaged just under 9 million barrels a day in September, about 44 per cent of the February level.
Wright said supplies also move through pipelines that bypass the strait.
He warned that diesel, jet fuel and petrol prices remain elevated despite the recovery in crude supplies.
- Who
- US Energy Secretary Chris Wright gave the recovery estimate. Kpler data provides a separate assessment of Hormuz exports.
- What
- Wright said Gulf crude flows had recovered to 80 to 90 per cent of prewar levels, with up to 14 million barrels a day passing through Hormuz.
- When
- Wright spoke on Monday at the 25th WPC Energy Congress. The article was published on October 12, 2026.
- Where
- The congress was held in Riyadh, where Wright addressed it remotely; the reported oil flows pass through the Strait of Hormuz.
- Why
- Wright said the crude supply problem was mostly handled, while warning that fuel-market challenges remained. The sources do not state why flows recovered.
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright
Kpler
Flow recovery
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright
Wright said Gulf crude flows had recovered to 80 to 90 per cent of prewar levels, with up to 14 million barrels a day passing through Hormuz.
Kpler
Kpler data showed Hormuz exports averaged just under 9 million barrels a day in September, about 44 per cent of the February level.
Scope of estimate
US Energy Secretary Chris Wright
Wright’s broader estimate includes supplies transported through pipelines bypassing Hormuz.
Kpler
Kpler’s figures measure oil exports through Hormuz and are not directly comparable with Wright’s estimate.
Kpler recorded 20.6 million barrels a day of oil exports through Hormuz.
Hormuz oil exports averaged just under 9 million barrels a day, according to Kpler.
An attack on Riyadh airport killed 13 people and injured about 300, according to the article.
Wright addressed the 25th WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh remotely and gave his estimate of Gulf crude-flow recovery.
Kpler’s 30-day vessel count covered the period ending on this date.
- Recovery estimate
- 80 to 90 per cent of prewar Gulf crude flows
- Hormuz flow estimate
- Up to 14 million barrels a day, according to Wright
- Kpler September exports
- Just under 9 million barrels a day through Hormuz
- Prewar February exports
- 20.6 million barrels a day through Hormuz
- Vessels crossing Hormuz
- About 22 a day in the 30 days to October 12
- Attack on Riyadh airport
- 13 killed and about 300 injured, according to the article
What people are saying
The crude problem we talked a lot about – it's still there but it's mostly handled
I want to start out by strongly condemning the cowardly attacks by the Houthis on the people of Saudi Arabia, on civilian infrastructure
We are here as your partners
The challenge is still here and the challenge is still ahead of us
Sources
Related news
Robert Hall and Michael Woodford win 2026 economics prize
Paris Motor Show opens with more than 20 Chinese automakers
Gold Holds Its Decline as Middle East Conflict Fuels Inflation Fears
Oil prices rise as attacks in Saudi Arabia raise supply concerns
Bitcoin falls as oil rises amid geopolitical tensions
Oil Holds Gains as Middle East Conflict Threatens Supply Recovery
US stocks trade mixed as oil prices rise
Apple and Samsung gain share as smartphone shipments fall to 13-year low
IMF chief warns AI could disrupt jobs and weaken tax revenues
Asian shares mixed as oil falls amid Trump’s Russian diesel plan
