Mideast oil exports rebound in September as Saudi Arabia boosts shipments

Middle East oil exports saw a significant rebound in September, reaching a record high of 16.328 million barrels per day (bpd), according to data from Kpler. This surge occurred as Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) increased their shipments, driven by the reopening of oil routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Saudi Arabia, the top regional exporter, shipped about 5.4 million bpd in September, a substantial increase from 2.446 million bpd in August, following the diversion of oil exports from the Red Sea port of Yanbu after attacks damaged its East-West pipeline.

Despite this recovery, exports from the Middle East, which includes Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Iraq, Oman, Qatar, Kuwait, and Iran, were still 3.2 million bpd below the 19.513 million bpd recorded in February, as the conflict with Iran continues. The data, however, does not include vessels transiting the strait with Automatic Identification System transponders turned off to avoid detection.