U.S. crude oil exports hit record as Gulf Coast tankers increase during Iran war

U.S. crude oil exports reached a record 5.2 million barrels per day in April, according to Kpler, as buyers in Asia and other regions turned to American supply amid disruptions to Middle East flows linked to the Iran war. The Port of Corpus Christi in Texas has been a major beneficiary. The terminal handled its busiest first quarter ever, and port traffic rose sharply as tankers from around the world arrived to load crude on the Gulf Coast. Corpus Christi alone accounted for roughly half of U.S. crude exports in April, with Houston supplying much of the rest. Analysts said the shift is being driven by a wartime supply gap rather than a lasting change in trade patterns. U.S. light sweet crude can help fill some demand, but it is not a perfect substitute for heavier Middle East grades, and export growth is still limited by port and pipeline capacity.