Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC)’s crude oil production increased by 1.17 million barrels per day (mmbbl/d) in July, supported by higher output from Gulf producers as they restored supplies disrupted by the Iran conflict and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, according to a Reuters survey.

Production from OPEC’s 11 members reached 19.85 mmbbl/d in July, marking a significant month-on-month increase and extending the recovery from May, when output fell to its lowest level since at least 2000.

Despite the recovery, July’s production remained below the levels recorded during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, when a sharp decline in global oil demand prompted widespread production cuts.

The figures exclude the UAE, which withdrew from OPEC effective May 1.

Iraq recorded the largest production increase among OPEC members during July, followed by Kuwait. Iran also increased its oil exports, although shipments slowed after the United States resumed its blockade of Iranian ports in mid-July.

Saudi Arabia’s production edged lower during the month, while Libya increased its output as its oil shipments remained unaffected by the US-Israeli conflict with Iran.

The increase came as seven members of the wider OPEC+ alliance, which includes non-OPEC producers such as Russia, had agreed to raise production in July. However, the escalation of the Middle East conflict prevented the group from fully implementing the planned increase.

The latest figures point to a gradual recovery in OPEC supply following the disruptions caused by the conflict and the restrictions on oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s key energy trade routes.