U.S. crude oil exports hit record 5.2M bpd in April amid Iran war disruptions

U.S. crude oil exports surged to a record 5.2 million barrels per day in April, driven by Asian and other buyers seeking alternatives to Middle East supplies disrupted by the Iran war. The Port of Corpus Christi in Texas, a major export hub, experienced its busiest quarter ever, with ship traffic and tanker volumes significantly up. However, U.S. export capacity is nearing limits due to infrastructure constraints, and the shift to U.S. crude is likely a temporary wartime measure as Middle East oil remains critical to global supply. The Strait of Hormuz blockade has created a supply gap that the U.S. and other regions cannot fully replace.