With reference to Saudi Arabia's crude oil production in August 2026, consider the following statements: 1. Crude production hit a 30-year low, reaching 6.24 million barrels per day. 2. The East-West Pipeline was targeted by Houthi militia attacks. 3. Saudi Arabia's production reached its lowest point since 2010. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

US Iran War Saudi Arabia Crude Output Hits 30-Year Low As Non-Gulf Producers Step Up

GS2Polity · Governance · IR· India's bilateral relations· Prelims· 19 September 2026

Energy security and supply chain disruptions: a GS2 International Relations and GS3 Economy case study.

Why in news

Saudi Arabia's crude oil production hit a 30-year low in August 2026 due to Houthi militia attacks on energy infrastructure, impacting supplies to Indian and European refiners.

Background

Saudi Arabia's production fell to 6.24 million barrels per day (mb/d) in August 2026, the lowest since 1990. The East-West Pipeline was attacked on September 10, forcing Saudi Aramco to halt supplies to some Indian refiners.

Facts for Prelims

FactSaudi Arabia crude production: 6.24 mb/d in August 2026
FactSaudi production low point: Lowest since 1990
PlaceEast-West Pipeline: Saudi Arabian energy infrastructure targeted by Houthi militia
FactNon-Gulf producers: United States increased output to mitigate global supply shortfalls

Prelims practice question

With reference to Saudi Arabia's crude oil production in August 2026, consider the following statements:

Crude production hit a 30-year low, reaching 6.24 million barrels per day.
The East-West Pipeline was targeted by Houthi militia attacks.
Saudi Arabia's production reached its lowest point since 2010.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a)2 only
(b)1 and 2 only
(c)1 and 3 only
(d)1, 2 and 3

Show answer

Answer: (b) 1 and 2 only — Statements 1 and 2 are correct. Statement 3 is incorrect: The note states it was the lowest since 1990.

For Mains

Q. Analyze how geopolitical instability in the Middle East affects global energy security and the shift toward non-Gulf oil producers.

Dimensions to cover in your answer

Supply chain vulnerability: Infrastructure attacks on the East-West Pipeline disrupting downstream refining in India and Europe
Market diversification: Shift toward US non-Gulf production as a hedge against regional geopolitical volatility

Keywords: Energy Security · Supply Chain Disruption · Geopolitical Risk · Market Volatility

Read the full news →Source: NDTV ↗

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This note is generated automatically from SatyaDheesh's news feed and mapped to the UPSC CSE syllabus. Check facts against the original report or PIB before using them in an answer.