OPEC output rises 1.17 mln bpd in July as Gulf states restore supplies
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OPEC crude production rose by 1.17 million barrels per day in July to 19.85 million bpd, Reuters data showed, as Gulf states restored supplies after disruptions caused by the Iran conflict and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Iraq and Kuwait led the gains, while Iran's export recovery was impeded by a renewed US blockade of its ports in mid-July.
Production Rebound
Output from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries rose by 1.17 million barrels per day in July to 19.85 million bpd, according to a Reuters analysis of shipping data from LSEG and Kpler and insider sources. Iraq registered the largest gain among members, with Kuwait also contributing significant additional volumes. Saudi Arabia’s supply edged slightly lower than its June level, while Libya increased output amid relative internal stability. The data do not include the United Arab Emirates, which formally left OPEC on May 1. The rebound comes after Gulf producers were forced to halt shipments due to the Iran-linked conflict and the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz.
Iran’s Export Recovery Stalled
Iran had managed to increase crude exports earlier in the review period, but momentum stalled in mid-July when the United States renewed a blockade of Iranian ports, according to the Reuters report. The specific volume of Iran’s gains or subsequent decline was not disclosed. The US action reimposed constraints on maritime shipments, effectively undoing the short-lived recovery. The blockade compounded the logistical challenges that had already battered Iranian exports during the Gulf crisis. It remains one of the key variables in the regional supply picture.
UAE Exits OPEC
The July production figures are the first monthly snapshot without the UAE since its departure from OPEC on May 1. The Emirates have been a top-tier producer within the group, and their exit removes roughly 3 million bpd from the organization’s headline supply tally. The move reflects a long-running push by Abu Dhabi for greater production autonomy separate from the cartel’s quota system. Analysts note that excluding UAE volumes makes direct comparisons with previous months’ OPEC data misleading.
What's Next
The August data will indicate whether the restoration trend holds, with attention focused on any further Iranian export disruptions. It remains unclear if the US blockade will intensify or if Gulf producers can sustain the recovery amid ongoing geopolitical tensions.
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OPEC output rises 1.17 mln bpd in July as Gulf states restore supplies
