Saudi Oil Exports Roar Back Amid Ongoing Tensions
Saudi Arabia's oil exports have rebounded to pre-conflict levels, despite ongoing tensions in the Middle East. According to data from Kpler, the kingdom's crude exports reached 6.0 million barrels per day (bpd) in September, the highest level since Iran's war began and roughly in line with the country's 2025 monthly average.
The recovery came despite a shutdown of the East-West pipeline after it was damaged by a drone launched from Iraq. However, Saudi Arabia rerouted supply through the Strait of Hormuz, which has seen an increase in traffic.
Kpler estimates that an average of 13.2 million bpd is now transiting through the strait, compared to around 17 million bpd before the conflict disrupted trade. This signals a greater confidence in using the strait, according to Matt Smith, Kpler's director of commodity research.
The East-West pipeline has since restarted at reduced rates, with throughput on the rise, although no official confirmation has been issued by Saudi Arabia. The restart is expected to provide some relief to the market, which had seen Brent prices rally to almost $110 a barrel following the disruption.