U.S. Gulf Coast crude exports soared above the 5 MMb/d mark for a sixth consecutive week. A massive 5.2 MMb/d of crude (far right of chart below) was loaded for export for the week ended May 22, extending the strongest crude export run on record. Export flows continue to run comfortably above the 2026 year-to-date average of 4.4 MMb/d. Supporting much of this week's volume was a sharp resurgence in Asia-Pacific (APAC) demand after several weeks of softer buying interest. Flows to APAC jumped nearly 40% week over week to 2.4 MMb/d, representing roughly 45% of total Gulf Coast crude exports, with South Korea and Japan once again leading the charge as the dominant buyers of U.S. barrels.
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- Analyst Insight
U.S. Crude Exports Soar Above 5 MMb/d to Highest Level Since 2023
U.S. Gulf Coast crude exports rose to 5 MMb/d (far right of graph below) for the week ended Friday, April 17, reaching their highest level since September 2023.
- Analyst Insight
Gulf Coast Crude Exports Hold Above 5 MMb/d for Fourth Straight Week
U.S. Gulf Coast crude exports continued to operate at exceptionally elevated levels last week, marking the fourth consecutive week with total exports averaging above 5 MMb/d (far right of chart below).
- Analyst Insight
Crude Oil Exports Decline on Softer Asian Demand
U.S. Gulf Coast (USGC) crude oil exports declined by 870 Mb/d last week to 3.2 MMb/d (far right of chart below), placing volumes 623 Mb/d below the 2025 year-to-date (YTD) average.
