Fact Check: "20 million barrels of oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz daily"
What We Know
The Strait of Hormuz is a critical maritime passage located between Oman and Iran, connecting the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman. It is recognized as one of the world's most important oil chokepoints, with significant volumes of oil transiting through it. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the average oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz in 2024 was approximately 20 million barrels per day (b/d), which equates to about 20% of global petroleum liquids consumption. Furthermore, data from Vortexa indicates that in the first three quarters of 2023, an average of 20.5 million b/d of crude oil, condensate, and oil products passed through the strait.
Historically, the flow of oil through the Strait of Hormuz has been substantial. In 2022, the average oil flow was reported at 21 million b/d, representing around 21% of global petroleum liquids consumption (EIA). This trend highlights the strait's ongoing importance to global energy security.
Analysis
The claim that "20 million barrels of oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz daily" is supported by multiple credible sources. The U.S. Energy Information Administration, a reliable governmental body, provides consistent data on oil flows through the strait, confirming the figure of 20 million b/d for 2024. Additionally, the analytics firm Vortexa corroborates this data, reporting similar figures for 2023 (Vortexa).
While there are slight variations in reported numbers—such as the 21 million b/d average for 2022 (EIA)—the general consensus remains that the flow is around 20 million b/d in recent years. The slight fluctuations can be attributed to changes in production levels, geopolitical tensions, and market demands, but they do not detract from the overall accuracy of the claim.
The sources cited are credible, with the EIA being a well-respected authority in energy statistics and Vortexa being recognized for its analytics in oil and gas markets. Both sources provide data that is regularly updated and peer-reviewed, adding to their reliability.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "20 million barrels of oil flow through the Strait of Hormuz daily" is accurate based on multiple credible sources. The average oil flow through the strait has been consistently reported around this figure, particularly for the year 2024. The data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and Vortexa supports this assertion, confirming the strait's critical role in global oil transportation.
