Kuwait Exported Zero Crude Oil in April for First Time Since 1991 Gulf War
Reflecto News | Global Energy | Iran War Impact
KUWAIT CITY — For the first time since the end of the 1991 Gulf War, Kuwait exported no crude oil during the month of April, as the blockade of the strategic Strait of Hormuz choked off access to international markets and brought regional energy exports to a near-standstill .
TankerTrackers.com, a global maritime oil shipment monitoring firm, reported on Saturday that Kuwait recorded zero barrels of crude oil exports for April 2026 — a first in over three decades .
“Breaking: During April 2026, Kuwait exported zero barrels of crude oil for the first time since the end of Gulf War I.”
— TankerTrackers.com via X (formerly Twitter)
While crude exports ceased entirely, Kuwait continued to produce oil throughout the month. The state-run producer instead diverted output into domestic storage facilities or directed it toward refining operations, according to the monitoring group .
“Kuwait still produces oil which it then takes partly into storage and partly into refined products; some of which has been exported. Crude oil however, hasn’t departed to our best knowledge.”
— TankerTrackers.com
🚢 The Strait of Hormuz Blockade
The disruption is directly linked to the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy supplies through which approximately one-fifth of the world’s oil normally passes .
Since the outbreak of the US-Israel war with Iran on February 28, Iran has imposed severe restrictions on the waterway. The United States has also enforced a naval blockade of Iranian ports, creating a dual chokehold that has brought tanker traffic close to a standstill .
“The disruption appears linked to conditions affecting regional shipping routes, including constraints in the Strait of Hormuz.”
— TankerTrackers.com
In mid-April, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) notified customers that it was invoking force majeure — a contractual clause allowing suppliers to miss deliveries under exceptional circumstances — on shipments of crude oil and refined petroleum products .
📊 The Economic Toll
Kuwait’s zero-export month is the starkest evidence yet of the severe economic damage the blockade is inflicting on Gulf oil producers.
Key impacts on Kuwait include:
- Zero crude exports — First time since the 1991 Gulf War
- Sustained domestic production — Oil diverted to storage and refining
- Partial refined product exports — Some processed fuel has been shipped, but crude remains stuck
- Force majeure declared — KPC invoked the clause in mid-April
- Output collapse — Production has fallen to levels last seen in the early 1990s following Iraq’s invasion of the country
Even before the April shutdown, Kuwait had already been forced to reduce production of crude oil, gas, and refined products due to the Hormuz disruption and Iranian strikes on regional energy infrastructure .
“A full recovery in production would take time even after hostilities ease, suggesting export disruptions could continue beyond any immediate improvement in regional security.”
— Person familiar with the matter, via Bloomberg
🌍 Regional and Global Impact
Kuwait is a major OPEC producer, and its oil exports are a key component of global energy supply chains, particularly for Asian and European markets .
The zero-export month comes as the US-Israel war with Iran enters a fragile ceasefire period. A 14-point peace proposal has been submitted by Iran through Pakistani mediators and is currently under review by the White House .
The blockade has also affected other Gulf producers: The US government estimated that over 9 million barrels per day of oil production would be shut down in April due to the Hormuz disruption .
🔮 Force Majeure Could Extend Beyond April
South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy confirmed that Kuwait’s force majeure notice was delivered to some refiners under contract with Kuwait . A ministry official noted that if the strait remains blocked, Kuwait could declare force majeure again for subsequent cargoes .
“With the Strait of Hormuz blocked since the Middle East war, there will be no impact on us from the force majeure.”
— Yang Gi-uk, head of the Industry and Resources Security Office, South Korean Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy
While South Korea stated the impact on its supplies would be limited, the broader implication is clear: as long as the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, Kuwait — and other Gulf producers — may be unable to resume normal crude exports .
📋 Key Takeaways for Reflecto News Readers
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Crude exports | Zero barrels exported in April — first since 1991 |
| Production status | Kuwait continues to produce oil |
| Where oil went | Diverted to domestic storage and refining |
| Force majeure | KPC invoked clause in mid-April |
| Primary cause | Strait of Hormuz blockade by Iran and US counter-blockade |
| Last such event | 1991 Gulf War (following Iraq’s invasion of Kuwait) |
| Recovery outlook | Full recovery will take time even after hostilities ease |
| Global context | US reviewing Iran’s 14-point peace proposal |
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