Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have increased crude oil exports as shipments through the Strait of Hormuz recover, with both countries seeking to regain market share lost during the Iran war, according to data from analytics firm Kpler cited by Reuters on October 8.

Crude oil exports through the Strait of Hormuz averaged 12 million barrels per day (bbl/d) over the two weeks preceding the report, around 80% of pre-war levels, Kpler’s data showed.

Middle Eastern crude oil exports exceeded the pre-war average of 18 million bbl/d for much of the week ending October 3, including shipments through alternative routes.

The UAE alone has exported an average of 3.3 million bbl/d of crude oil since June, broadly matching pre-war levels, while its total production averaged approximately 4.2 million bbl/d over the same period, above its pre-war average of 3.9 million bbl/d, according to Kpler.

Saudi Arabia initially redirected large volumes of crude oil to Yanbu on the Red Sea after the war began, keeping exports near 60% of pre-war levels during much of the conflict.

However, attacks on the East-West pipeline in September and Houthi attacks affecting the Bab el-Mandeb Strait disrupted the strategy, prompting the kingdom to redirect more shipments through Hormuz.

Saudi crude oil exports subsequently averaged approximately 7.3 million bbl/d over the three weeks preceding the report, approaching pre-war levels, according to Kpler.

However, Saudi production is expected to average 7.4 million bbl/d in October, around 75% of pre-war levels, reflecting reduced domestic refining capacity following strikes on processing facilities.

Saudi Arabia’s share of Asian crude oil imports fell from 24% in February to a record low of 9% in September, but is expected to recover to approximately 14% in October, while the UAE’s share declined from 13% in February to 12% in October, based on Reuters calculations using Kpler data.