Uche Cecil Izuora
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has promised to commence the publication of new quarterly energy security datasets on May 13 covering global strategic petroleum reserves and shipping flows through key oil and LNG chokepoints, as ongoing disruption in the Strait of Hormuz continues to reshape global energy markets.
The new datasets, announced alongside EIA’s May Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), are intended to provide additional transparency into global petroleum inventories and maritime energy trade routes during periods of geopolitical instability.
“The timing of resumed oil flows through the Strait of Hormuz and the subsequent rate at which Middle Eastern producers restore output are key factors influencing EIA’s price forecast through year end,” said EIA Administrator Tristan Abbey. “Our new datasets tracking global strategic stocks and shipping chokepoints for petroleum and gas markets will offer timely context and additional depth.”
According to EIA, the new data will typically be released separately from the monthly STEO depending on availability of underlying market and shipping information.
The agency’s latest outlook assumes the Strait of Hormuz will remain effectively closed through late May before traffic gradually resumes in June and shipments return toward pre-conflict levels later in the year.
EIA estimates that approximately 10.5 MMbpd of crude oil production from Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE, Qatar and Bahrain was shut in last month amid the regional supply disruption.
The report also noted that Brent crude prices rose sharply in April, reaching as high as $138/bbl and averaging $117/bbl during the month as global inventories tightened.
Beginning with the May STEO, UAE production will no longer be included in OPEC totals following the country’s formal departure from the organization on May 1, 2026.