Gulf Supply Shock Redraws Global Crude Trade as Canada, Asia Adjust, Wood Mackenzie Says

Effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz resulted in forced shut-ins of about 11 million barrels per day of production at the peak of the conflict, forcing major importers to redraw supply chains, Wood Mackenzie said in note on a Thursday. The shut-ins and force majeure reshaped global crude and fuel markets, the research firm said, citing satellite-based production monitor estimated. Iraq's output dropped from 4.5 mmbbl/d to 820,000 b/d, while Kuwait lost more than 70% of production. The two countries were the worst hit by the closure of the crucial waterways for the lack of any alternate route to export oil and gas, according to multiple reports. WoodMac's satellite data showed producers first drained storage before output declined. Iran's Kharg Island had about nine days of usable storage on May 1, while Kuwait and Iraq continued loading cargoes before inventories climbed, Wood Mackenzie said. Western Canada quickly filled part of the supply gap as the Trans Mountain Expansion pipeline moved a record 832,000 b/d in April at 93.5% utilization. Westridge terminal loaded 500,000 b/d, with 87% heading to Asia-Pacific. South Korea committed to import 33 million barrels of.