Houthi threats have disrupted Red Sea shipping, leading Saudi Arabia to divert crude exports, increase activity at its Yanbu terminal, and some tankers to transit the Bab el-Mandeb Strait with tracking systems off.
Oil prices rose Tuesday after a sharp decline, as investors balanced optimism from US-Iran peace talks with uncertainty over crude shipments via the Strait of Hormuz. Brent crude futures increased to $78.15 a barrel, and WTI gained to $74.19.
The US is reportedly running a covert offshore oil-transfer network near the Strait of Hormuz, using tactics similar to Iran's 'dark fleet' to maintain crude flow amidst regional tensions. The operation, involving vessel transfers off Oman and UAE coasts, has moved an estimated 90 million barrels since May, with US military coordinating surveillance.
OPEC clarifies that the common belief of huge gains for oil producers from price hikes is inaccurate. OECD countries earn significantly more from retail oil product sales than OPEC nations from crude exports, with taxes forming a large part of the final fuel price.
Iraq and UAE are accelerating oil pipeline projects to bypass the Strait of Hormuz, with Iraq tripling Kurdistan pipeline capacity and UAE fast-tracking a new pipeline to Fujairah. Data shows Iraq's exports have plummeted due to its reliance on the chokepoint.
Russia's Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak confirmed a dip in oil production due to unscheduled refinery repairs, marking the first such public admission. This comes as Ukraine intensifies drone attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, disrupting operations and pushing Moscow to maximize crude exports.
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith signed a deal on industrial carbon pricing, a key step towards building an oil pipeline to increase crude exports to Asia. The deal aims to reduce Canada's reliance on the US, despite environmental opposition.
The UAE is fast-tracking a new oil pipeline to Fujairah, doubling export capacity to 3.6m barrels/day by 2027, securing exports against Strait of Hormuz disruption amid the Iran war, post-OPEC exit.
Venezuela's crude exports surged 14% to 1.23 million bpd in April, the highest level since late 2018, driven by increased demand from the US (445,000 bpd), India (374,000 bpd) and Europe (165,000 bpd). The rise follows the January US capture of President Nicolas Maduro and subsequent oil supply arrangement between Trump and interim President Delcy Rodriguez, with trading houses and Chevron handling the majority of shipments.
Venezuela's crude exports surged 14% to 1.23 million barrels per day in April, reaching their fastest pace in over seven years. This increase, driven by demand from the US, India, and Europe, follows a US agreement that softened sanctions, allowing major trading firms and partners to resume lifting Venezuelan crude.
