Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

€2 a Month €5 a Month One-off amount
Oil

The 7 most important oil chokepoints in the world

These are the narrow bodies of water over which almost half of the world’s oil production must travel – and are therefore vulnerable to disruption.
8.45am, 13 Jan 2013
12.4k
16

“ABOUT HALF OF the world’s total oil production of nearly 90 million barrels per day is transported over water,” write US Funds analysts.

At some point, almost all of this seaborne oil passes through one of seven chokepoints, or a narrow body of water.

At these chokepoints, oil tankers face various risks ranging from heavy traffic to piracy.  Any disruption could lead to volatility in oil prices.

US Funds recently took a close look at these seven chokepoints.  We highlight some of their findings here.

The 7 most important oil chokepoints in the world
1 / 7

  • Danish Straits

    The EIA says that as Europe grows more reliant on Russian energy exports, the Danish Straits will gain in importance. Three million barrels per day passed through in 2010. (Image: USFunds)

  • Turkish Straits

    One of the busiest chokepoints in the world, the Bosporous and Dardanelles saw a total of 50,000 ships carrying an average of 3 million barrels a day, pass through it in 2011. (Image: USFunds)

  • Suez Canal/SUMED pipeline

    Though just 1,000-feet-wide at its maximum point, 18,000 ships passed through the Suez in 2011. Combined with the SUMED oil pipeline, the Suez area transports 2.4 million barrels per day. (Image: USFunds)

  • Strait of Hormuz

    The most vital checkpoint in the world: 17 million barrels per day passed through in 2011. (Image: USFunds)

  • Bab el-Mandeb

    The origin for tankers' hazardous journey around the horn of Africa, the strait saw 3.4 million barrels per day in 2011. (Image: USFunds)

  • Strait of Malacca

    Asia's key checkpoint: 15 million barrels per day passed through in 2011. (Image: USFunds)

  • Panama Canal

    Though only 755,000 barrels per day passed through in 2011, the Panama Canal Authority is in the midst of a massive overhaul that, by 2014, will triple the strait's capacity. (Image: USFunds)
  • The EIA says that as Europe grows more reliant on Russian energy exports, the Danish Straits will gain in importance. Three million barrels per day passed through in 2010. (Image: USFunds)
  • One of the busiest chokepoints in the world, the Bosporous and Dardanelles saw a total of 50,000 ships carrying an average of 3 million barrels a day, pass through it in 2011. (Image: USFunds)
  • Though just 1,000-feet-wide at its maximum point, 18,000 ships passed through the Suez in 2011. Combined with the SUMED oil pipeline, the Suez area transports 2.4 million barrels per day. (Image: USFunds)
  • The most vital checkpoint in the world: 17 million barrels per day passed through in 2011. (Image: USFunds)
  • The origin for tankers' hazardous journey around the horn of Africa, the strait saw 3.4 million barrels per day in 2011. (Image: USFunds)
  • Asia's key checkpoint: 15 million barrels per day passed through in 2011. (Image: USFunds)
  • Though only 755,000 barrels per day passed through in 2011, the Panama Canal Authority is in the midst of a massive overhaul that, by 2014, will triple the strait's capacity. (Image: USFunds)

- Rob Wile

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.
Learn More Support The Journal

Published with permission from
View 16 comments
Send Tip or Correction
Close
16 Comments
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds
    The Journal supports the work of the Press Council of Ireland and the Office of the Press Ombudsman, and our staff operate within the Code of Practice. You can obtain a copy of the Code, or contact the Council, at https://www.presscouncil.ie, PH: (01) 6489130, Lo-Call 1800 208 080 or email: mailto:info@presscouncil.ie