Saudi Oil Exports Surge Amid Ongoing Middle East Disruptions

Middle East oil exports have seen a significant increase in September, reaching their highest monthly level since the Iran war began seven months ago.

Preliminary data from Kpler shows regional exports rose to 16.3 million barrels a day, still short of February's 19.5 million record but higher than previous months.

Saudi Arabia was largely responsible for this surge, nearly doubling its exports from 2.45 million barrels a day in August to around 5.4 million in September.

The increase is partly due to Saudi Arabia sending more crude from its Gulf terminals after attacks damaged its East-West pipeline to the Red Sea, with flows through the Strait of Hormuz projected at about 9.7 million barrels a day.