
Brent Crude Drops to $97 as Gulf Exports Near Pre-War Levels
Brent crude fell to $97.36 and WTI to $89.57 on October 1, 2026, as reports indicated Persian Gulf oil exports have largely recovered to pre-war levels. Goldman Sachs, JPMorgan, and Kpler confirmed that total Middle Eastern crude flows are near 98% of previous norms, driven by Saudi Arabia’s increased output and alternative routing. Despite ongoing Iranian attacks on tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, which have not significantly impacted prices, the market remains fragile. Global inventories have dropped by 2 billion barrels since the conflict began, and refined product flows remain at only 58% of pre-war levels, keeping diesel prices above $6 per gallon.












