Kuwait's crude oil production rose markedly in June to 1.65 million barrels per day, according to a person familiar with the matter. The increase represents a notable reversal from the markedly lower output recorded in May and signals a partial restoration of the country's oil handling capacity.
Within June, daily output climbed even higher toward the end of the month. The source indicated that production reached as much as 1.9 million barrels per day during the final 10 days of June, underscoring a concentrated upswing in flows as the month closed.
By contrast, May's production stood at about 580,000 barrels per day, a figure the source described as well below pre-war levels of roughly 2.5 million bpd. That pre-war benchmark highlights the extent of the decline Kuwait experienced before the recent recovery.
The uptick in June is presented as a significant recovery after a period of disruptions that had constrained output in recent months. The source linked the ramp-up in shipments to a shift in regional conditions, noting that Kuwait is increasing exports through Gulf shipping routes as conditions stabilize under an interim agreement between the United States and Iran.
The reported production rebound and the push to move more crude via Gulf maritime lanes indicate operational adjustments that have allowed Kuwait to accelerate shipments following the disruption-driven downturn earlier in the year. Details on the specific disruptions are not provided by the source.
While the recent figures point to a recovery in output and an intensified use of Gulf export routes, the source-provided data also underline how far production remains from the roughly 2.5 million bpd level recorded prior to the outbreak of hostilities referenced in the pre-war comparison. The available information focuses on the month-to-month changes in output and the observed increase in late-June daily rates.