INTELLIGENCE REPORT

Brent Crude Oil Intelligence Report

August 12, 2026 · Intelligence Report · Brent Crude (ICE BZ=F)
BUYER: DEFENSIVE

Brent crude sits at $89.80/bbl holding a $15-25 war-risk premium as the US-Iran standoff enters Day 165 with no Hormuz reopening in sight. Iran's foreign minister said Aug 10 the strait will not reopen without US concessions: sanctions relief, war reparations, frozen assets, naval withdrawal. Houthi attacks on Saudi-linked tankers and a declared blockade of Saudi shipping cut Bab el-Mandeb traffic to about 25 vessels/day from roughly 35 in June. EIA (Aug 11) estimates 5.5 mb/d of shut-in production, global inventory draws of 4.2 mb/d in 2Q26 and 3.8 mb/d in 3Q26, and forecasts Brent averaging $85 in 3Q26, $78 in 4Q26, and $69 in 2027 as flows normalize from September. OPEC+ raised September quotas 188 kb/d (Aug 2) but actual exports stay constrained by Hormuz. US crude output is at a record 13.80 mb/d. Procurement posture: DEFENSIVE - do not lock term volumes at current levels; hedge the $100+ tail; keep WTI-linked alternatives open. Data limitations: spot price from ICE pipeline feed (Aug 12). EIA STEO Aug 11 is current. Analyst decks: Goldman Jul 23, JPM Jul 21, Morgan Stanley Apr (maintained). FACT

Brent Spot
$89.80
+13.0% WoW vs Aug 5
YTD Change
+47.8%
From $60.75 Jan 2 close
52-Week Range
$58.92-118.35
Mar 31 peak / Dec 16 low
US Crude Output
13.80 mb/d
Record high +3.8% YoY
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FACT: 17 · ESTIMATE: 9 · Data as of Aug 12, 2026. EIA STEO Aug 11. Goldman Jul 23. Hormuz status Aug 11.