09:38 - 15.10.2026

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October 15, Fineko/abc.az. Prices for oil of benchmark grades declined more than by 1% in Thursday’s trading session after growth the day before.

Investors are assessing the risks of supply disruptions due to attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz, as well as the possible easing of US sanctions against tankers of the so-called shadow fleet.

As of 09:21 on Baku time, December Brent crude futures on the London ICE Futures Exchange fell by $1.72 (1.62%) to $104.34 per barrel. Following the trading on October 14, their price grew by $0.37 (0.35%) up to $106.06 per barrel.

On the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), November futures for WTI crude oil decreased by $1.01 (1.06%) to $94.08 per barrel by 09:21. Following the previous session, the value of these contracts increased by $0.95 (1.01%) up to $95.09 per barrel. The day before, WTI reached its highest level in three weeks.

The rise in quotations in the previous session is linked with concerns about supply disruptions. According to reports, the Houthis attacked the headquarters of Saudi Aramco, and Iran announced the use of new tactics of attacks on ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

Over the past 24 hours, a container ship and a cargo ship have sunk in separate incidents near the Strait.

According to media reports, the number of attacks on this waterway has increased over the past 10 days. Iran has also announced increased strikes in response to the blockade of its ports by the United States and the tightening of sanctions imposed last month.

Amid the disruption of shipping due to the war in Iran and a sharp rise in freight costs, the administration of US President Donald Trump is considering easing sanctions against ships of the so-called shadow fleet transporting oil and petroleum products from Russia, Iran and Venezuela. It is assumed that this step may contribute to an increase in oil supply and lower prices.

According to the American official, as part of the discussions, the possibility of allowing the transportation of so-called legal oil on ships previously subject to sanctions is being considered.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) also reported that in September, crude oil exports from the Middle East and the Persian Gulf increased by 4.4 million b/d, reaching nearly 75% of the pre-war level.