According to today’s EIA Weekly Petroleum Status Report (WPSR) for the week ended May 9, U.S. imports of Venezuelan crude surged to 588 Mb/d (far right of chart below), marking the highest weekly volume since January 2019. Venezuelan crude imports have trended steadily higher throughout much of 2026, as Gulf Coast refiners increased purchases of heavy sour barrels following the U.S.-Venezuela trade agreement announced earlier this year, alongside tightening global supply balances and ongoing disruptions in the Middle East.
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Go With The Flow – Major Changes Disrupting Global Crude Oil and Refined Product Flows
Since early 2026, disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz and shifts in Venezuelan exports have shifted crude oil and product flows from their historical norms. On the U.S. domestic front, closures of West Coast refineries and proposed new pipelines to that region suggest more changes are coming.
Start Me Up – As Venezuela Ramps Up Crude Oil Output, More Barrels Reaching U.S. Refiners
The early signs of a rebound can be seen in Venezuela, where crude oil production and exports are on the rise, although plenty of unknowns remain. Today, we look at how much Venezuelan crude is reaching the U.S., how the U.S. import slate has changed, and preview our latest Drill Down Report.
How’s It Going to Be – How a Prolonged Conflict with Iran Could Disrupt U.S. Gasoline, Jet and Diesel Markets
The U.S. is seeing softer domestic demand for traditional fuels, but pockets of the country remain highly dependent on imported gasoline, jet fuel and diesel. Today, we’ll zero in on which PADDs are at the highest risk for shortages and price spikes if the Iran war drags on for an extended period.