Crude Oil Prices Fall 1% as Alternative Middle East Supply Routes Ease Concerns | September 18, 2026

Crude Oil prices fell about 1% for a third consecutive session on Friday, September 18, 2026, remaining above US$100 a barrel as traders weighed concerns over Middle East supply disruptions against efforts to keep crude flowing through alternative routes, as per news reports. 

Brent crude futures fell US$1.01, or 1%, to US$103.77 a barrel by 0020 GMT. US West Texas Intermediate futures declined US$1.03, or 1%, to US$100.88 a barrel. Both benchmarks had ended about 1% lower on Thursday. 

Alternative Supply Routes Ease Market Concerns 

Markets largely looked past fresh strikes between Saudi Arabia and Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis on Thursday. Oil prices had climbed to around four-month highs earlier this week after crude loadings at Saudi Arabia’s Red Sea export hub of Yanbu were suspended and some European deliveries were cancelled following damage to the East-West pipeline. 

Saudi Arabia is seeking to restore part of the pipeline’s capacity within days, while additional crude cargoes are being offered to Asian refiners through ship-to-ship transfers off Oman’s Sohar port. US Energy Secretary Chris Wright has also said crude should resume flowing through the pipeline within days. 

Pipeline Damage Keeps Supply Risks in Focus 

Satellite imagery and industry sources indicated that three pumping stations along the pipeline were damaged, one more than previously assessed. A prolonged shutdown of the pipeline to Yanbu could affect a significant portion of global oil supply. 

Strait of Hormuz Adds Further Uncertainty 

Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Navy said a Togo-flagged oil tanker was struck while attempting what Iranian state media described as an “illegal passage” through the Strait of Hormuz. 

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US-Iran Tensions Remain Unresolved 

The US and Iran have not held peace talks since an interim agreement reached in June collapsed within weeks. The conflict is likely to be discussed at the United Nations General Assembly next week, with an Iranian delegation permitted to attend, according to the US State Department. 

Conclusion 

Oil prices remain above US$100 a barrel despite recent declines, with traders watching the restoration of Saudi pipeline operations, alternative crude shipments and developments around the Strait of Hormuz for further direction. 

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