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Reuters: The US Says More Oil is Leaving the Middle East, but is it really?

Vessel trackers say Middle East crude exports are 3 million to 5 million bpd below Wright’s estimate, raising questions about counting methods and hidden shipments.

  • US Energy Secretary Chris Wright claimed on August 12 that oil flows from the Middle East are recovering, citing almost 9 million bpd leaving the Strait of Hormuz and total regional exports averaging approximately 15 million bpd.
  • Data from Kpler and LSEG Oil Research disputes these figures, revealing a gap of between 3 million and 5 million bpd compared to Wright's estimates. Vessel-tracking services report actual Strait of Hormuz shipments are significantly lower than the administration's claims.
  • Kpler data shows crude exports via the Strait of Hormuz for the week beginning July 27 at just 2.77 million bpd. LSEG recorded Middle East crude exports of 9.33 million bpd for the first 12 days of August, down from 12.35 million bpd in July.
  • If Wright's export figures were accurate, global arrival data should reflect increased Middle East supply within six weeks. Experts contend the current market remains tighter than the administration's optimistic narrative suggests.
  • Discrepancies may stem from US Navy double-counting ship-to-ship transfers or missing clandestine shipments. Observers urge Wright to provide vessel names and cargo details to resolve the data conflict.
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The US says more oil is leaving the Middle East, but is it really?

Just how much crude oil is leaving the Strait of Hormuz?

·London, United Kingdom
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The Daily Star broke the news in Bangladesh on Thursday, August 13, 2026.
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