{
  "id": 8003288,
  "title": "Oil prices drift lower amid easing Mideast supply jitters",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/oil-prices-drift-lower-amid-easing-mideast-supply-jitters",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-17T10:00:33.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hellenic Shipping News",
    "slug": "hellenic-shipping-news",
    "url": "https://www.hellenicshippingnews.com/oil-prices-drift-lower-amid-easing-mideast-supply-jitters/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Oil prices continued to decline on Thursday, as Saudi Arabia reportedly eased supply constraints, though ongoing tensions in the Middle East kept crude prices above $100 per barrel. Benchmark Brent oil futures declined by 0.9% to $104.85 per barrel, while West Texas Intermediate crude futures slipped by 0.6% to $101.85 per barrel. The recent rally in crude prices has cooled off this week following reports that Saudi Arabia is taking steps to address supply disruptions in the Red Sea caused by Houthi militants in Yemen. Saudi Arabia is reportedly increasing crude deliveries to Asian refiners through ship-to-ship transfers off Oman's Sohar port, ensuring that supplies continue to flow despite the heightened military tensions. Riyadh is also working to resume half of its key east-west oil pipeline operations within days, following the suspension of operations last week due to Houthi attacks. Analysts at UBS have suggested that there may be an upcoming increase in Saudi oil exports. In addition, U.S. officials met with representatives from Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Oman over the weekend, with the Houthis reaffirming their commitment to a 2025 ceasefire and vowing not to attack U.S. or Israeli ships. Despite these developments, relations between Washington and Tehran remain tense, particularly over the Strait of Hormuz. Shipping through the strategic waterway has dropped to just three vessels per day, down from 12 a day earlier, according to Kpler data reported by Reuters. Crossings of the Bab el-Mandeb have also decreased to 21, compared to 24 on Tuesday.",
  "summary": "Oil prices extended recent losses on Thursday, as Saudi Arabia reportedly moved to ease supply constraints, although persistent tensions in the Middle East have kept crude above $100 a barrel. Benchmark Brent oil futures fell 0.9% to $104.85 a barrel by 04:18 ET (08:18 GMT), while West Texas Intermediate crude futures dropped 0.6% to $101.85 ...",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}