Anas Alhajji Asks the Right Questions: How Long Can Strong U.S. Petroleum Product Exports Continue Before Causing Domestic Shortages and Price Spikes?

Energy markets are flashing warning signs as U.S. petroleum product exports remain near record highs while domestic inventories tighten amid escalating geopolitical risks in the Middle East. Veteran energy analyst Anas Alhajji (@anasalhajji) highlighted these concerns in his July 9, 2026, Daily Energy Report on X and Substack, posing a series of pointed questions that […]

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MOU violations look like Iran ended their path to a peaceful ending. What does this mean for the oil and gas markets?

The fragile ceasefire and sanctions relief framework between the United States and Iran has collapsed. President Donald Trump’s blunt assessment at the NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, on July 8, 2026, made that clear: the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is “over,” the ceasefire is finished, and he has no interest in further dealings with the […]

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When Will Gas Prices Come Down? Post-Iran Conflict Dynamics, Tight Inventories, and the Path to Pre-War Levels

Gasoline prices in the U.S. have eased from crisis peaks above $4.50 per gallon but remain stubbornly elevated. As of June 15, 2026, the national average for regular gasoline stood around $4.05 per gallon (with some reports citing ~$3.90–$3.99 recently), still more than $1 above pre-war (pre-2022) levels that were consistently under $3 per gallon. […]

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India Orders Major Strategic Oil Reserve Upgrade

In a decisive move to strengthen its energy security amid recent global supply disruptions, the Indian government has directed state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to construct and fill a new underground strategic petroleum reserve (SPR) cavern at Mangaluru in Karnataka. The project, estimated at around $1.6 billion, will add 1.75 million metric tons […]

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Iran Asserts Control over Hormuz, Setting Stage for Tolls as Oil Tankers Hold Back Amid Lingering Uncertainty

Iran is tightening its grip on the Strait of Hormuz, the world’s most critical oil chokepoint, with new rules requiring ships to obtain permission and secure insurance from Tehran. This move explicitly paves the way for future tolls, even as a fragile U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed earlier this week aimed to normalize flows. […]

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Trump Opens SPR for Emergency Release: A Bold Move Amid Global Oil Turmoil

In a decisive response to skyrocketing oil prices triggered by the ongoing U.S.-Iran conflict, President Donald Trump has authorized the release of 172 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). This marks the largest drawdown under his administration and is part of a historic international effort coordinated by the International Energy Agency (IEA) to […]

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How Has China\’s Crude Stockpile Given the Oil Market a Safety Net? Will Filling the SPR Help in That Net?

In an era of geopolitical tensions, supply disruptions, and shifting energy dynamics, strategic oil reserves have emerged as critical buffers for global markets. China\’s aggressive crude stockpiling strategy has played a pivotal role in stabilizing oil prices and mitigating risks from sanctions and conflicts. But how exactly has this provided a safety net? And could […]

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