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2 Mar 2026

Goldman estimates the following effects on the fair value of oil prices in scenarios for one-month disruptions to oil flows through the Strait:

+$15 for a full one-month closure if there are no offsets (e.g. utilization of spare pipeline capacity, SPR release) +$12 for a full one-month closure if all estimated 4mb/d spare pipeline capacity is used +$10 for a full one-month closure if all estimated spare pipeline capacity is used and global SPRs are released for one month at a 2mb/d pace +$4 for a partial 50% one-month closure if all estimated spare pipeline capacity is used +$1 for a partial 25% one-month closure if all estimated spare pipeline capacity is used Source: Goldman Sachs, zerohedge

2 Mar 2026

Goldman Sachs on near-term oil price outlook following start of Operation Epic Fury:

"Based on the 15% weekend gain in retail prices, we estimate an $18/bbl real-time risk premium in crude oil prices, which corresponds approximately to our estimate of the fair value effect of a six-week full halt in Strait of Hormuz flows (allowing for spare pipeline capacity use as a partial offset). This estimated impact moderates to +$4 if only 50% of the flows are halted for one month. However, oil prices can rise substantially more if the market demands a premium for the risk of more persistent supply disruptions." Source: Brian Sozzi

20 Feb 2026

Oil is pushing the massive trend line. We haven't closed here since August.

Source: TME

23 Jan 2026

The United States now produces more oil than Saudi Arabia and Russia combined

This also explains why oil shocks today tend to be shorter-lived than in the past. There is simply more swing capacity in the system, and a lot of it sits in the US... Source: Jack Prandelli @jackprandelli

14 Jan 2026

Iran’s Oil Output: A 46-Year Milestone You Might Have Missed

For the first time since 1978, Iran’s oil output has reached about 5.5 million barrels per day, marking a structural shift rather than a simple recovery. After years of volatility, production has surged since 2020, driven largely by growth in condensates and natural gas liquids (NGLs), which are less constrained by sanctions than conventional crude. Much of this supply is moving discreetly to China via shadow fleets, adding hidden liquidity to global markets and helping restrain oil prices despite geopolitical risks. Bottom line: Iran is re-emerging as a major energy player in a form that is harder to sanction, raising questions about how effective traditional oil sanctions remain in today’s market. Source: Jack Prandelli on X

14 Jan 2026

Iran is now the #1 risk for global oil markets

The global energy balance has shifted sharply as China now absorbs nearly 90% of Iran’s oil exports, up from 25% in 2017, creating a dangerous concentration of risk. Any disruption in Iran now directly threatens China’s energy security. The 2026 oil market is under pressure from rising political instability in Iran, already reflected in a $3–4/barrel geopolitical risk premium. Iranian oil stored offshore has reached record levels as buyers hesitate amid escalating sanctions and military risks. At the same time, the U.S. is threatening 25% tariffs on countries trading with Iran, extending the conflict from energy into global trade. With Iran increasingly reliant on Chinese “teapot” refiners, a break in this relationship could trigger severe economic fallout for Tehran and disrupt sanctioned oil flows globally. The system moving sanctioned oil is fragile, raising the risk of a supply shock for China and a major test of U.S. enforcement credibility. Source: Jack Prandelli in X, Visual Capitalist

12 Jan 2026

Venezuela's underground wealth

Source: @AzizSapphire

7 Jan 2026

We aren't just talking about trade embargoes or "backdoor deals" anymore. We are talking about a direct naval showdown on the high seas. 🌊⚓️

Here is the situation: The U.S. is moving to seize the Marinera, a Russian-flagged tanker carrying sanctioned Venezuelan oil. Russia’s response? They deployed a submarine to escort it. 🇷🇺🇻🇪🇺🇸 The Breakdown: -> The Move: The U.S. is enforcing sanctions with physical force. -> The Counter: Moscow is signaling they will use military hardware to protect their assets. ->The Global Ripple: China is watching closely. 🇨🇳 Why this matters: This isn't just about oil prices. It’s about the shift from Economic Diplomacy to Kinetic Confrontation. If the U.S. succeeds, American sanctions become the ultimate global law. If Russia blocks them, the era of U.S. naval dominance faces its biggest test in decades. Source: Mario Nawfal on X, Reuters, @sentdefender, WSJ

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