Saudi Arabia’s crude oil production rebounded by 2.134 million barrels per day in September 2026, climbing to 8.372 million barrels per day after having fallen to its lowest level in more than three decades. Despite this recovery, output remains significantly below pre‑conflict levels.
Oil exports across the Middle East also moved closer to normal last month, as regional producers increased shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital corridor for global energy supplies. Saudi Arabia further strengthened its export capacity by restoring flows through a major pipeline that diverts crude to the Red Sea, offering an alternative route to the Strait of Hormuz. This pipeline had been previously targeted by Yemen’s Houthi rebels during the conflict.
Nevertheless, the resilience of this recovery is still in doubt. Recent Iranian attacks on tankers transiting the strait, combined with escalating Houthi hostilities, have reignited concerns over maritime security and the risk of renewed disruptions to regional oil supplies.