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Latest prices & markets coverage from Oil Authority and industry sources

Oil Authority Analysis310 articles

Map of the Strait of Hormuz showing shipping lanes between Iran and the Musandam Peninsula of Oman
Prices & MarketsAug 9, 2026

Iran Rejects US Negotiations on Strait of Hormuz Shipping Corridor, Brent Closes at $83.55

Iran rejected US Hormuz talks on August 9, stalling a deal to restore commercial shipping. Brent settled Friday at $83.55, down more than 7% on the week.

NASA MODIS satellite image of the Strait of Hormuz and Musandam Peninsula from December 2018
Prices & MarketsAug 9, 2026

Iran Reaches Hormuz Route Deal with Oman but Demands Vessel Fees and Bans US Ships, Leaving 20 Million bpd Blocked

Iran and Oman agreed on Hormuz shipping coordinates, but Iran's demands for US sanctions relief and military withdrawal keep 20 million bpd in limbo.

Aerial view of Saudi Aramco Jazan integrated refinery and gasification complex in southwestern Saudi Arabia
Prices & MarketsAug 9, 2026

Houthi Drones Strike Saudi Aramco's Jazan Refinery for Second Time, Threatening August 15 Restart of 400,000-bpd Plant

Houthi drones struck Aramco's Jazan refinery Sunday for the second time in two weeks, clouding the plant's planned August 15 return to 400,000-bpd.

Ultra large crude carrier supertanker AbQaiq viewed from above near the Persian Gulf
Prices & MarketsAug 8, 2026

Brent at $83.55 and WTI at $78.18 After 7 Percent Weekly Drop as Iran-Oman Corridor Progress Deflates Hormuz Premium

Brent crude settled at $83.55 per barrel Friday, down 7 percent on the week as Iran-Oman corridor talks trimmed Hormuz risk premium; WTI ended at $78.18.

Active oil pumpjack operating in the Permian Basin near Andrews, Texas
Prices & MarketsAug 7, 2026

US Oil Rigs Rise to 454 as Henry Hub Prices Keep Gas Rigs at 124 in Baker Hughes August 7 Count

US oil rigs climbed to 454 while gas rigs fell 3 to 124 in Baker Hughes' August 7 count, as $77 WTI and $2.67 Henry Hub drive oil-gas drilling rotation.

Aerial view of Syncrude oil sands plant with sulfur stockpiles and tailings pond near Fort McMurray Alberta
Prices & MarketsAug 7, 2026

WCS Discount Widens to $14.80 Below WTI as Hormuz Recovery and China Demand Weakness Compress Canadian Heavy Crude Netbacks

WCS settled at $14.80 per barrel below WTI on August 5, widening from $14.25, as Hormuz flows recover and China's demand for heavy crude stays soft.

The OPEC headquarters building on Helferstorferstrasse in Vienna, Austria
Prices & MarketsAug 7, 2026

OPEC+ Completes 2023 Cut Reversal With 188,000 bpd Hike While Iraq and Kazakhstan Owe Over 1 Million bpd in Compensatory Cuts

OPEC+ approved its final 188,000 bpd quota increase on August 2 while Iraq and Kazakhstan together owe over 1 million bpd in compensatory cuts.

Satellite view of Hengli Petrochemical Industrial Park in Dalian, China
Prices & MarketsAug 7, 2026

China July Crude Imports Rebound 22 Percent to 8.45 Million Barrels Per Day as Sinopec Locks In Russian ESPO

China crude imports rebounded 22% in July to 8.45 million barrels per day as Sinopec locks in Russian ESPO, but August faces renewed Hormuz headwinds.

Aerial photograph of the Strait of Hormuz between Oman and Iran from 35,000 feet
Prices & MarketsAug 7, 2026

Hormuz Vessel Traffic Drops to 33 for Week as Iran-Oman Corridor Deal Advances and Attacks Continue

Hormuz vessel transits fell to 33 for the week from 50, as Iran-Oman agree on safe-corridor coordinates and Brent rises to $82 on fading deal optimism.

Satellite view of Bab-el-Mandeb Strait between Yemen and Djibouti, gateway to the Red Sea
Prices & MarketsAug 6, 2026

Houthi Missiles Strike Saudi Tanker NCC WAFA, Bab-el-Mandeb Traffic Drops 95% and Brent Hits $82.90

Houthi forces claimed strikes on Saudi tanker NCC WAFA, cutting Bab-el-Mandeb traffic by 95% and sending Brent crude up 4.34% to $82.90 per barrel Thursday.

NASA satellite image of Strait of Hormuz and Musandam Peninsula from space in 2018
Prices & MarketsAug 5, 2026

Brent Settles at $79.45 as US, Iran and Oman Near 60-Day Hormuz Deal While EIA Confirms 2.5 Million Barrel Build

Brent settled at $79.45 per barrel Wednesday as the US, Iran and Oman near a 60-day Hormuz deal; EIA confirmed a 2.5 million barrel crude build for last week.

Aerial view of Athabasca oil sands mining operations with tailings ponds in Alberta
Prices & MarketsAug 5, 2026

WCS Oil Sands Discount Widens to $14.80 Per Barrel as Supply Surges and Chinese Demand Softens

WCS oil settled $14.80 per barrel below WTI Tuesday, widening from $14.25 on Friday, as completed oil sands turnarounds add supply and China demand weakens.

Aerial satellite view of Saudi Arabia Khurais oil processing facility with crude separation infrastructure
Prices & MarketsAug 5, 2026

Saudi Arabia and Russia Lead OPEC+ August Output Hike as Voluntary Cut Reversal Nears Completion

Seven OPEC+ producers added 188,000 bpd for August. Saudi Arabia and Russia each add 62,000 bpd as September's hike closes the 1.65-million-bpd reversal.

Aerial photograph of large cylindrical petroleum storage tanks at the Port of Barcelona, Spain
Prices & MarketsAug 5, 2026

API 2.69-Million-Barrel US Crude Build Precedes Wednesday EIA Report as China Releases 2.7 Million Tons of Fuel and OPEC+ Reversal Adds Supply

API logged a 2.69-million-barrel US crude build ahead of Wednesday's EIA report as China released 2.7 million tons of refined fuel to world markets.

Satellite image of oil tanker navigating near the Yemen coast in the Red Sea
Prices & MarketsAug 5, 2026

Houthi Ballistic Missiles Strike Saudi Tanker NCC WAFA off Yanbu, Closing Aramco's Hormuz Bypass as Brent Climbs to $80.10

Houthi missiles struck Saudi tanker NCC WAFA off Yanbu Wednesday, threatening Saudi Aramco's East-West Pipeline bypass as Brent rose to $80.10 per barrel.

Aerial view of the Strait of Hormuz between Oman and Iran at 35,000 feet altitude
Prices & MarketsAug 4, 2026

WTI Tumbles 5.7% to $75.76 as Trump Cancels Iran Strike and Bessent Signals Deal Progress

WTI crude fell 5.7% to $75.76 on Tuesday as Trump canceled a planned Iran strike and Treasury Secretary Bessent signaled ceasefire talks are imminent.

Aerial view of Christina Lake North SAGD oil sands facility surrounded by Alberta boreal forest at sunrise
Prices & MarketsAug 3, 2026

Cenovus Oil Sands Output Hits Record 786,400 boe/d but WCS Crash to $65 Cuts Alberta Heavy Oil Netbacks C$10 Per Barrel

Cenovus oil sands hit a record 786,400 boe/d in Q2, including MEG Energy, but today's WCS selloff to near $65 wiped C$10 per barrel in a single session.

OPEC International Seminar opening ceremony in Vienna Austria June 2018 energy cooperation
Prices & MarketsAug 3, 2026

Kuwait Crude Output Triples to 1.97 Million Barrels as OPEC+ Completes 1.65-Million-Barrel Production Reversal

Kuwait Crude Output Triples to 1.97M Barrels as OPEC+ Completes 1.65-Million-Barrel Production Reversal. Kuwait's crude oil production surged to 1.971M bpd.

Chevron branded gasoline pump station at early morning in Castro Valley California
Prices & MarketsAug 3, 2026

Chevron Q2 Profit Hits Six-Year High of $12.1 Billion While Trump Demands CEO Wirth Lower Gasoline Prices

Chevron posted a $12.1B Q2 profit, its highest in six years, as President Trump demands CEO Mike Wirth cut gasoline prices amid a Venezuela dispute.

NASA MODIS satellite photograph of the Strait of Hormuz and Musandam Peninsula from space
Prices & MarketsAug 3, 2026

WTI Crude Plunges 7 Percent as Trump Halts Iran Strikes and OPEC+ Boosts September Output

WTI crude fell to $78.73 as Trump halted Iran strike plans Monday, erasing 37% of July's war premium. OPEC+ approved 188,000 bpd in September supply.

Saudi Aramco supertanker AbQaiq sailing in ballast on open ocean
Prices & MarketsAug 2, 2026

Iran Strikes U.S. Air Bases in Kuwait and Bahrain as Saudi Supertankers Reroute Around Africa

Iran bombed U.S. air bases in Kuwait and Bahrain July 31 as Saudi supertankers detoured around Africa. Brent settled at $87.93 per barrel on ICE.

Chevron El Segundo refinery in California with refining towers and storage tanks
Prices & MarketsAug 2, 2026

ExxonMobil Earns $14.5 Billion and Chevron Posts Record $12.2 Billion in Q2 as Iran War Drives Refining Margins Higher

ExxonMobil's $14.5B Q2 profit and Chevron's record $12.2B combine for $26.5B as Iran war drives refining margins to multiyear highs. Trump eyes DOJ probe.

Lukoil Volgograd oil refinery plant viewed from outside in winter morning light
Prices & MarketsAug 1, 2026

WTI Crude Oil Posts 23 Percent July Gain as Iran Seizes Two Hormuz Tankers and Ukraine Hits Lukoil Volgograd

WTI crude settled at $84.67 per barrel Friday, capping a 23% monthly gain as Iran seized two Hormuz tankers and Ukraine struck Lukoil's Volgograd refinery.

Large oil tanker vessel approaching Durban Harbour in South Africa at sunrise
Prices & MarketsAug 1, 2026

WTI Settles at $84.67 and Brent at $87.93, Capping July With 20-Percent Monthly Gain as Iran War Squeezes Global Crude Supply

Brent closed July at $87.93 and WTI at $84.67 per barrel, both up 20% on the month, as Iran struck US bases and six Saudi supertankers rerouted around Africa.

OPEC headquarters building in Vienna, Austria on Helferstorferstrasse 17 in the first district
Prices & MarketsAug 1, 2026

OPEC+ Clears Fifth Straight Monthly Hike of 188,000 Barrels Per Day as Gulf Export Routes Reopen

OPEC+ approved its fifth monthly output hike of 188,000 bpd for August as Strait of Hormuz exports recover. The cumulative 2026 unwind now totals 940,000 bpd.

ExxonMobil oil refinery complex adjacent to Interstate 55 in Joliet, Illinois, with industrial towers and flaring visible
Prices & MarketsJul 31, 2026

ExxonMobil and Chevron Post $26.5 Billion Combined Net Income as Record Permian Output and Refining Recovery Drive Q2 Results

ExxonMobil posted $14.5B and Chevron $12.2B in Q2 2026 net income as Permian records and a $6.8B one-quarter refining swing drove results to decade highs.

NASA MODIS satellite view of the Strait of Hormuz and Musandam Peninsula
Prices & MarketsJul 31, 2026

Iran Fires Ballistic Missiles at US Bases in Kuwait and Bahrain as Brent Tests $91 Per Barrel

Iran struck US military bases in Kuwait and Bahrain, lifting Brent to $90.35. Saudi tankers rerouted around Africa as Hormuz shipping risks escalate.

Saudi Aramco affiliated SATORP refinery complex at night in Jubail Saudi Arabia with illuminated flare stacks
Prices & MarketsJul 30, 2026

WCS Jumps 7.8 Percent as Saudi Aramco Jazan Refinery Goes Offline After Houthi Strike

WCS surged 7.8% to $72.11 per barrel on Tuesday after Saudi Aramco's 400,000-bpd Jazan refinery went offline, narrowing the WCS-WTI differential to $11.94.

Large crude oil tanker vessel at sea near Long Beach California port
Prices & MarketsJul 30, 2026

China Crude Imports Drop to 7.12 Million Barrels Per Day, Eight-Year Low Absorbs Hormuz Supply Shock

China's crude imports crashed to 7.12 million bpd in June, their lowest since 2016, as 62% EV penetration and Hormuz-hit supply set a ceiling on Brent.

Syncrude Mildred Lake oil sands mine and upgrader plant in northern Alberta
Prices & MarketsJul 29, 2026

Brent Crude Settles at $90.71 Per Barrel Wednesday, Beating Goldman $80 Target as WCS Netbacks Climb to CAD $105

Brent crude settled at $90.71 per barrel on Wednesday, topping Goldman's $80 year-end target and pushing Canadian WCS netbacks above CAD $105 per barrel.

Petroleum jack pump nodding donkeys operating at crude oil field near Los Angeles California
Prices & MarketsJul 29, 2026

WTI Crude Hits $84.95 as EIA Reports 7.2-Million-Barrel Draw and Trump Threatens Iran

WTI surged 7.2% to $84.95 per barrel as a 7.2-million-barrel EIA crude draw and Trump's Iran threat pushed oil past Goldman's $76 Q4 floor.

Aerial view of the Strait of Hormuz from 35,000 feet showing the waterway between Iran and Oman
Prices & MarketsJul 29, 2026

Iran Rejects Oman Hormuz Plan and Strikes US Forces, Brent Crude Surges to $89.83 Per Barrel

Iran rejected Oman's Hormuz plan and struck US forces with ballistic missiles, driving Brent futures to $89.83 on ICE, a 6.8% surge on Wednesday.

Syncrude Mildred Lake oil sands mining operations in Wood Buffalo Alberta
Prices & MarketsJul 28, 2026

WTI Crude Settles at $79.28 as Oman Advances Hormuz Security Pact, Goldman Sachs $76 Floor Now $3.28 Away

WTI settled at $79.28 per barrel Monday on the CME, down 4.03%, as Oman proposed a Hormuz framework. Goldman Sachs's $76 Q4 target is now $3.28 away.

OPEC headquarters building on Helferstorferstrasse in Vienna Austria
Prices & MarketsJul 28, 2026

OPEC+ Signals Final Output Increase for September Then Freezes Monthly Quota Hikes

OPEC+ will approve one final output increase for September, then pause monthly hikes, as WTI crude settles at $79 on the Iran ceasefire's fourth day.

Map showing OPEC and OPEC plus member nations as of May 2026 including Gulf states and Russia
Prices & MarketsJul 28, 2026

OPEC Delivers 48% of July Production Pledge as Iranian Crude Returns, Brent Tracks Toward EIA's $82 Forecast

OPEC members delivered 310,000 bpd of their 648,000 bpd July production pledge while Iranian barrels return, adding dual supply pressure to oil markets.

NASA satellite image showing Athabasca oil sands mining operations in northern Alberta Canada
Prices & MarketsJul 28, 2026

WCS Falls 8.7% as Iran-U.S. Ceasefire Unwinds Alberta Oil Sands Hormuz Premium, Spread Widens to $8.37

WCS crude fell 8.7% to $70.26 per barrel Monday, outpacing WTI's 4.8% slide, as Iran-U.S. ceasefire unwinds the Hormuz premium that lifted Alberta bitumen.

Aerial view of Kharg Island oil export terminal and surrounding Persian Gulf waters, March 2022
Prices & MarketsJul 28, 2026

Iran Fortifies Kharg Island Export Hub as WTI Slides to $80.78 Approaching Analyst Year-End Targets

Iran is fortifying Kharg Island, which handles 90 percent of its crude exports, as WTI slides to $80.78 and nears Goldman Sachs's $80 year-end target.

WTI Falls Below $83 as US-Iran Ceasefire Wipes Seven Percent Off Crude in a Single Session
Prices & MarketsJul 27, 2026

WTI Falls Below $83 as US-Iran Ceasefire Wipes Seven Percent Off Crude in a Single Session

WTI crude fell to $82.77 and Brent to $89.15 on July 27, 2026, as a US-Iran ceasefire announcement unwound weeks of war-risk premium in one session.

NASA MODIS satellite image of the Strait of Hormuz between the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman
Prices & MarketsJul 27, 2026

Brent Falls Below $91 as US and Iran Halt Direct Strikes, Strait of Hormuz Remains Closed

Brent crude fell to $90.84 per barrel Monday on ICE as US-Iran direct strikes paused. With Hormuz still shut, analysts see fair value at $75 to $85.

USS Porter guided-missile destroyer navigating the Strait of Hormuz during a maritime security patrol in the Persian Gulf
Prices & MarketsJul 26, 2026

WTI Settles at $89.31 and Brent at $96.78 as Pakistan-China Diplomacy Trims Iran War Premium

WTI crude settled at $89.31 per barrel Friday and Brent at $96.78 as Pakistan and China backed fresh U.S.-Iran talks, trimming the week's war premium.

Aerial photograph of Syncrude oil sands mining operations in Alberta showing sulfur pyramids and tailings pond
Prices & MarketsJul 26, 2026

WCS Rises 7 Percent to $79.84 as Hormuz Disruptions Redirect Heavy Crude Demand to Alberta Oil Sands

Western Canadian Select crude rose 7.2% to $79.84 per barrel on Friday as Hormuz disruptions cut alternative heavy crude supply for global refiners.

Map of Caspian Pipeline Consortium route from Kazakhstan Tengiz to Black Sea Novorossiysk
Prices & MarketsJul 25, 2026

Ukraine Drone Strike Shuts CPC Novorossiysk Terminal, Cutting Tengiz Output to 406,000 Barrels a Day and Threatening 15 Percent of EU Crude Imports

Ukraine drone strikes shut the CPC Novorossiysk terminal July 21, halving Tengiz output to 406,000 b/d and putting 15% of EU crude imports at risk.

Oil pumpjack extracting crude oil at Glenn Pool oil field in Glenpool Oklahoma United States
Prices & MarketsJul 25, 2026

EIA Cuts 2026 Brent Forecast to $82 Per Barrel as OPEC+ August Hike and Returning Iranian Crude Reshape Market

EIA's July 2026 STEO cut Brent crude forecast to $82 per barrel for 2026 and $65 for 2027, with OPEC+ adding 188,000 bpd in August as Iranian crude returns.

Mumbai oil refinery viewed from Bombay Harbor with oil tanker approaching facility
Prices & MarketsJul 24, 2026

BPCL and HPCL Pivot to Angola and Venezuela as Saudi Red Sea Crude Exports Collapse 41 Percent

India's BPCL and HPCL are sourcing new crude from Angola and Venezuela as Saudi Red Sea exports collapsed 41% to 2.39 million bpd since March.

Oil tanker transiting Gulf of Aden waters near the coast of Yemen
Prices & MarketsJul 24, 2026

Brent Crude Slides to $97 on Profit-Taking as Iran Conflict Enters Day 13 and CPC Halts Kazakhstan Black Sea Loadings

Brent fell 2.97% to $97.27 Friday as US-Iran conflict entered day 13, Hormuz tanker traffic hit May lows, and CPC suspended Kazakhstan Black Sea loadings.

Phillips 66 oil refinery facility showing industrial processing towers in Billings Montana
Prices & MarketsJul 23, 2026

US Refineries Run at 96 Percent Capacity as Gasoline Tops $4 and Diesel Hits $5.13 Per Gallon

EIA data shows US refineries ran at 96.2% capacity the week of July 17 as national average gasoline hit $4 and diesel reached $5.13 per gallon.

Aerial view of the Anacortes crude oil refinery with petroleum storage tanks in western Washington State
Prices & MarketsJul 23, 2026

US Crude Inventories Draw 3 Million Barrels as Brent Tops $100 on Iran Escalation

US crude stocks fell 3 million barrels as American refineries ran near record capacity and Brent crossed $100 on escalating US-Iran military strikes.

Satellite view of the Strait of Hormuz and Musandam Peninsula showing the strategic waterway
Prices & MarketsJul 23, 2026

Brent Crude Surges to $99.86 as US Strikes Iran for 12th Consecutive Night and Saudi Tankers Come Under Houthi Attack

Brent crude at $99.86 per barrel, up 6.1%, as the US struck Iran for a 12th consecutive night and two Saudi oil tankers came under Houthi attack.

Ultra large crude carrier supertanker AbQaiq under US Navy aerial security
Prices & MarketsJul 22, 2026

Brent Crude Settles at $95.08 as Houthis Declare Red Sea Naval Blockade While Kuwaiti Tanker Takes Hit in Hormuz

Brent crude settled at $95.08 per barrel on Wednesday as Houthis declared a Red Sea naval blockade and Iran struck a Kuwaiti tanker in Hormuz.

Syncrude Mildred Lake oil sands upgrader plant and tailings ponds near Fort McMurray Alberta Canada
Prices & MarketsJul 22, 2026

WCS-WTI Heavy Oil Discount Hits $29 Per Barrel as Hormuz Fears Push WTI to $86 While Canadian Crude Holds at $58

WCS heavy crude held at $57.99 Tuesday while WTI surged to $86.57, pushing the heavy oil discount to $28.58 per barrel, 138% above the AER's $12 forecast.