Americas' Oil Production Surges to Record High Amid Iran War
The Americas' oil production has become a viable alternative to Middle Eastern hydrocarbons since the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz closure. This shift in global energy trade patterns is due to the growth in oil and gas production across the region, with the US leading the pack.
Oil exports from the Americas have risen to a record-high average of 11.7 million barrels per day (bpd) so far in 2026, up from 10.3 million bpd in 2025 and nearly double the volume a decade ago. The US leads with exports averaging 4.4 million bpd this year, followed by Brazil at 2.5 million bpd.
Asia has absorbed much of the additional crude from the Americas, with imports into the continent surging since the Iran war began and on track to reach a record 5.4 million bpd in August. The shift is driven by Asia's wartime scars and its desire for greater energy security.