U.S. Claims Higher Gulf Oil Flows Than Independent Trackers Show

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright claimed that oil flows leaving the Persian Gulf region have reached approximately 15 million barrels per day, with nearly 9 million barrels per day transiting the Strait of Hormuz, a figure he says is supported by U.S. military intelligence. However, multiple independent vessel-tracking services and energy analysts report significantly lower numbers, creating a substantial discrepancy over the true volume of oil moving through the critical waterway.

Wright made the assertions in a series of statements on August 11 and 12, attributing the high export levels to coordinated efforts by the U.S. military and Gulf allies. He stated that the seven-day average for oil leaving the Strait of Hormuz was nearly 9 million barrels per day, and when combined with an additional 5 million to 7 million barrels per day moving through newly upgraded pipelines and bypass facilities, total flows averaged about 15 million barrels per day. Wright also claimed that on a single day, more than 20 million barrels left the Arabian Gulf region, a figure he said exceeded the pre-conflict daily average.

President Donald Trump reinforced this narrative on August 11, telling...