Gulf oil exports surpass prewar levels despite escalating tanker attacks According to data from Kpler, oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz and alternative routes across the Middle East averaged more than 24 million barrels a day last week, surpassing prewar levels of 23.3 million. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Macron secures Gulf diesel supplies as France grapples with fuel costs, unrest France now has commitments for 295,000 metric tons of diesel per month from the Gulf, accounting for just over 10% of the European country’s consumption. Bahrain
Analysis As Iran’s oil lifeline runs dry, can it outlast Trump's economic siege? The country's last barrels of crude stockpiled beyond the reach of a US naval blockade fell to zero in October, raising the stakes for Tehran amid mounting economic distress. By Samuel Wendel In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech
Analysis How much oil can cushion another Middle East supply shock? Global oil inventories stood at 3.35 billion barrels in October, the lowest level on record since January 2017, according to Kpler. By Jack Dutton In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech
Hormuz attacks spike after US airstrike on Iran-linked tanker By Jared Szuba In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military
Oil smuggling in Syria worsens pollution in Euphrates River The residents living near the Euphrates River in northeast Syria are suffering the consequences of water pollution mainly caused by oil spills resulting from smuggling operations between the areas held by the Kurdish forces and the Syrian government. Syria
Leaking tankers threaten health, livelihoods along Yemen's coast A series of recent pollution incidents in the port of Aden has brought newfound urgency to addressing the hazardous vessels. Legacy: Gulf
Oil prices fall to another low Saudi Arabia has benefited from high oil prices this year, though prices appear to be falling somewhat on the back of production increases. Legacy: Gulf
Security unrest sparks protests in southern Libya, threatens oil output The Libyan oil sector is once again threatened amid security and political turmoil, most recently with protests breaking out in the oil-rich southern region, which has been marginalized for years. North Africa
Saudi Arabia secures funding for electricity interconnection with Egypt Egypt just approved a plan to ration electricity, though the government said there is not a shortage of power. Egypt
Fourth Turkish drilling ship begins energy exploration in Mediterranean Past Turkish energy exploration activities took place in waters claimed by Greece and Cyprus, leading to significant tensions. Turkey
Saudi Arabia-China relations strengthen with Aramco-Sinopec deal The ties between China and Saudi Arabia are largely based on trade and energy cooperation. Saudi Arabia
OPEC+ agrees to small oil production increase US President Joe Biden may have been hoping for a larger boost in production. Legacy: Gulf
Is Russia escalating Jewish Agency crisis because of Israel's stance on Ukraine? Some Israeli security and diplomatic experts believe that Russian President Vladimir Putin instigated the Jewish Agency crisis to pressure Israel against selling natural gas to Europe. Israel
Saudi Aramco acquires lubricant giant Valvoline Aramco has been investing in futuristic technology amid high oil prices and profits. Legacy: Gulf
Turkey raises inflation forecasts The Turkish lira is also again falling close to historically low levels against the US dollar. Turkey
Turkey, Russia gas ties grow contentious amid Ukraine war Russian gas giant Gazprom’s sudden “maintenance" shutdown of a major pipeline carrying gas to Turkey coincided with the talks over Finland's and Sweden’s NATO membership bids. Turkey