Exxon Mobil CEO Darren Woods said oil flows from the Persian Gulf will take one to two months to normalize after the Strait of Hormuz reopens [1].
The timeline suggests a prolonged period of energy instability. Because the Strait of Hormuz is a critical chokepoint for global oil transit, any delay in restoring full capacity could maintain upward pressure on fuel prices worldwide.
Speaking in an interview on CNBC this Friday, Woods said the disruptions caused by the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict [2]. The conflict has hindered tanker traffic through the strait, creating a supply gap that will not vanish immediately upon the cessation of hostilities [4].
"It will take a month or two for oil flows to normalize after the Strait of Hormuz reopens," Woods said [1].
Woods said that the global market has not yet fully accounted for the volatility of the region. He said the market hasn't seen the full impact of the Middle East war yet [1]. This lag in supply recovery may lead to continued price spikes as refineries and nations struggle to replace missing volumes from the Gulf.
According to Woods, supply constraints in the Middle East could keep West Texas Intermediate (WTI) prices elevated for weeks to come [3]. The recovery process involves more than just opening the waterway; it requires the rescheduling of tankers, and the re-establishment of shipping lanes that were disrupted by the conflict [4].
The CEO's comments highlight the fragility of the global energy supply chain. Even a rapid diplomatic resolution to the conflict may not result in an immediate drop in oil prices due to the logistical inertia of maritime shipping [1].
“"It will take a month or two for oil flows to normalize after the Strait of Hormuz reopens."”
The warning from Exxon Mobil indicates that the global oil market is facing a 'lag effect.' Even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens tomorrow, the physical logistics of moving millions of barrels of oil, including tanker availability and port congestion, mean that supply shocks will persist. This suggests that energy inflation may remain a factor in the global economy well into the summer of 2026, regardless of immediate ceasefire agreements.
