Analysts Raise 2026 Oil Price Forecasts on Prolonged Strait of Hormuz Disruptions

Analysts have upgraded their 2026 crude price projections as prolonged export disruptions through the Strait of Hormuz tighten global supply. A September Reuters survey of 30 economists and analysts lifted the 2026 average Brent crude forecast to $89.05 per barrel, up from $85.08 expected in August, with estimates spanning $77.27 to $97.60. West Texas Intermediate projections were raised to $83.90 per barrel from $80.20. Although Gulf flows partially recovered to 23.3 million barrels per day via unmonitored shipments, experts expect tight markets and inventory drawdowns before a surplus returns in 2027.