Middle East Oil Exports Exceeded Pre-War Levels
Increased shipments have continued despite regional security concerns and the recent attack on a Kuwaiti oil tanker.
Updated on Oct. 6, 2026 in Oil and Gas
Live Poll
Do you feel that rising fuel prices are making it harder to manage your household budget?
Crude oil exports from the Middle East rose to between 19.5 million and 22.5 million barrels per day in late September 2026. This volume surpassed the average of 18 million barrels per day recorded between March 2025 and February 2026.
Why it matters
Producers have maintained high export levels by utilizing alternative routes like the East-West pipeline and ship-to-ship transfers to bypass ongoing security risks in the Strait of Hormuz. Sustaining these flows is critical to global energy stability amid active conflict.
On October 6, 2026, WTI crude traded at $89.71 per barrel while Brent crude was priced at $100.60 per barrel. These benchmarks reflect ongoing market efforts to balance high output with regional volatility.
The players
UAE Fuel Price Committee
This body is responsible for regulating retail fuel costs in the UAE following the government's decision to deregulate prices in 2015.
The details
Producers are actively navigating security risks by diversifying transit pathways through the Gulf and Red Sea corridors. These efforts come after a Kuwaiti crude carrier was attacked on October 1, 2026, highlighting the continued vulnerability of international energy shipping lanes.
Timeline
March 2025 to February 2026 served as the baseline period for export volumes.
Exports exceeded pre-war levels between September 24 and September 29, 2026.
A Kuwaiti crude carrier was targeted in an attack on October 1, 2026.
UAE retail fuel prices surpassed Dh4 per litre in October 2026.
A potential decline in UAE fuel prices is projected for November 2026.
Market Landscape
This development follows the 2015 UAE retail fuel price deregulation, which linked local consumer costs directly to international market fluctuations. The current pricing shifts reflect how regional energy firms are competing to maintain market share while global prices remain volatile.
Consumers in the UAE face higher costs at the pump, with Super 98 reaching Dh4.40, Special 95 at Dh4.28, and E-Plus 91 at Dh4.21 per litre in October 2026. These prices may moderate in November if global crude benchmarks stabilize.
The takeaway
Maintaining steady oil flows through strategic transit routes remains a primary defense against further price spikes in the global energy market. Readers should monitor regional security updates as these developments directly influence monthly retail fuel costs.
What happens next
The UAE Fuel Price Committee is expected to evaluate global oil trends throughout October 2026 to determine if retail fuel prices will decrease in November 2026.
Further reading
For more on international energy trade, visit our Oil and Gas section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Khaleej Times.
Live Poll
Do you feel that rising fuel prices are making it harder to manage your household budget?
