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
Affiliate of Abu Dhabi oil company to list on stock exchange Borouge is ADNOC’s joint venture with Austrian petrochemical firm Borealis AG. United Arab Emirates
Iraqi Kurdistan government denies taking control of oil fields in Kirkuk An oil company run by the Iraqi Ministry of Oil alleged that the Kurdistan Regional Government’s forces took over some oil fields in the disputed northern province. Iraq
Ukraine war drives more traffic to Egypt's Suez Canal, increasing revenues Although Egypt is being adversely affected by the war in Ukraine, the Suez Canal is benefiting greatly from Western countries sailing into the Gulf in search of oil. Egypt
Kurdistan officials concerned about PKK, Iran and energy sector High-ranking officials from the Kurdistan Region of Iraq have voiced concerns over the lack of effective collaboration from Baghdad and risks to security from the presence of the PKK. Iraqi-Kurdistan
Russian ambassador to Iraq: ‘No objections’ to Kurdistan Region exporting gas to Europe Elbrus Kutrashev spoke to the Kurdish news outlet Rudaw about plans to export natural gas from the autonomous part of northern Iraq to Europe in response to the war in Ukraine. Iraq
OPEC+ alliance endorses slight increase in oil production Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other have largely resisted US calls to boost production but settled on a marginal increase today. Legacy: Gulf
Bulgaria looks to Turkey for help with gas shortage Russia has cut gas exports to Bulgaria, leaving Sofia looking to Ankara, which has some tough decisions to make. Turkey
Israeli cybersecurity firm protects gas transfers between Poland, Lithuania Waterfall deployed its system to the eastern European countries in response to the war in Ukraine. The move comes at a low point in Israel-Russia relations. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
IMF: Oil producers better prepared for Ukraine-related economic downturn The International Monetary Fund’s report also highlighted currency depreciation in Egypt, economic effects of the war in Yemen and Jordan’s fledgling tourism sector. By Adam Lucente In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change
Italy's ENI to tap North African gas for Europe Europe’s race to reduce its energy dependence on Russia has put the spotlight on Algeria, Egypt and Libya, but their capacity to boost exports in the short term is limited and any significant increase would require large investments and stability. North Africa
US becomes Turkey's second biggest gas supplier, but for how long? Turkey's second biggest gas supplier over the past winter was the United States, but Ankara may have to turn back to its neighbors to ensure it has sufficient supplies. Turkey
Brent crude falls nearly 10%, OPEC basket drops slightly Saudi Arabia has acted to keep prices high recently against the wishes of the US. Saudi Arabia