Oil Tanker Traffic Drops in Hormuz as LNG Floating Storage Climbs

Transit levels through the Strait of Hormuz have dropped significantly as U.S.-Iran tensions escalate, with vessel crossings hitting a weekend low of four ships on Sunday compared to eight on Saturday, according to LSEG data. The disruption has halted visible liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker traffic since Thursday, leading to a mounting backlog of fuel … Read more

Ukrainian Drones Strike Russia’s Largest Oil Refinery in Deepest Attack Yet

Ukrainian drones struck the Omsk oil refinery in Siberia on Monday, marking one of the longest-range strikes of the war, according to the Ukrainian General Staff. The facility, which processes approximately 460,000 barrels of oil per day, is located roughly 2,700 kilometers (1,700 miles) from Ukrainian-held territory. While Russian authorities confirmed the attack, regional governor … Read more

Russia to Import North Asian Jet Fuel Amid Domestic Shortage

Russia is poised to import a jet fuel cargo originating from Japan to alleviate domestic supply shortages caused by Ukrainian attacks on its energy infrastructure. According to three sources briefed on the matter, the cargo will travel through a complex logistics chain involving ship-to-ship transfers off the coast of South Korea to reach Russia. How … Read more

Saudi Aramco Helicopter Crash Kills 14

A Saudi Aramco helicopter crash in Ras Tanura killed 14 nationals on Sunday, according to the Saudi state news agency. The incident occurred at 6 a.m. local time on the eastern coast of Saudi Arabia, west of the Strait of Hormuz. Authorities have launched a full investigation into the cause of the crash, as Aramco … Read more

SpaceX Plans ‘Starpipe’ Natural Gas Pipeline for Starship

SpaceX plans to begin construction next month on an eight-mile natural gas pipeline, dubbed “Starpipe,” to supply its Starbase launch site in Texas, according to county filings reviewed by Reuters. The infrastructure project is designed to facilitate a higher cadence of launches for the Starship rocket, moving away from a reliance on tanker trucks for … Read more

Oil Prices Drop Amid Rising Middle East Supply

Oil prices for Brent and WTI crude reached their lowest levels since February 27 as Middle Eastern supply returns to the global market. According to Reuters, rising expectations of increased oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz are outweighing record-low U.S. crude stocks, pushing Brent to $72.52 and WTI to $69.32 per barrel. Why are … Read more

Russia Weighs Diesel Export Ban as Strikes Impact Fuel Supply

Russia is weighing a potential ban on diesel exports and considering fuel imports to address domestic shortages caused by recent strikes on its oil infrastructure. Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak confirmed that the government is reviewing tax legislation and supply strategies to stabilize the market after Ukrainian drone attacks forced unplanned refinery maintenance and reduced … Read more

US Authorizes Iranian Oil Sales Amid Peace Talks

The U.S. Treasury Department has authorized a temporary 60-day license permitting the sale of Iranian crude, petrochemicals, and petroleum products through August 21. According to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the move follows a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran, requiring Iran to allow International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections and ensure free transit through … Read more

Ukraine Confirms Drone Strike on Russian Oil Refinery in Tyumen

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed that domestic long-range drones successfully struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Tyumen Region, a facility located more than 2,000 km (1,200 miles) from the Ukrainian border. Zelenskiy stated that Ukraine has developed new drone technology capable of reaching targets up to 3,000 km away as part of a sustained campaign … Read more

U.S. Adopts Iranian Tactic to Smuggle Oil Out of the Gulf

The U.S. military is orchestrating a secretive ship-to-ship oil transfer operation near the Strait of Hormuz to bypass an Iranian-led blockade that has disrupted global energy supplies. Since early May, at least 116 vessels have participated in the initiative, which utilizes aerial surveillance and drone monitoring to guide tankers through the Gulf of Oman with … Read more