Gulf crude exports recover Pump prices stay high

Sep 2026

France 2 says Gulf crude exports excluding Iran have recovered to prewar levels despite restricted Hormuz passage. It describes Saudi pipeline exports via Yanbu, risk-taking shuttle tankers, night passages with signals switched off, and transfers onto other tankers off Oman. Kpler’s Homayoun Falakshahi describes US-protected night convoys. Motorists report little price relief; Jean-Louis Schilansky distinguishes crude recovery from the continuing diesel-production bottleneck caused by damaged Middle Eastern refineries. The report cites continuing shipping and insurance costs, a weekend Saudi pipeline strike and explosions reportedly heard in Riyadh that evening. Recovery of crude flows does not establish unrestricted reopening or cheap refined fuel.

France 2 reports that Gulf crude exports excluding Iran have returned to prewar levels despite restricted Hormuz passage. It explains Saudi pipeline shipments through Yanbu and shuttle tankers, US-protected night passage with signals off, and ship-to-ship transfers off Oman. Kpler’s Homayoun Falakshahi describes the convoys. Motorists see little relief; Jean-Louis Schilansky attributes continuing diesel scarcity to damaged refineries, alongside high shipping and insurance costs. Crude-export recovery does not establish unrestricted passage or restored refined-fuel supply.