Oil market recovery unlikely until 2027, Saudi Aramco CEO warns

Saudi Aramco's chief executive has warned that global oil markets may not fully stabilize until 2027, pointing to sustained disruptions at the Strait of Hormuz as the primary obstacle to a faster recovery. The caution from the head of the world's largest oil producer carries significant weight, given Saudi Aramco's central role in setting the tone for global energy supply expectations.

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway between the Arabian Peninsula and Iran, serves as the passage for roughly one-fifth of the world's oil supply. Any prolonged interference with shipping through the strait has historically sent ripple effects across global energy markets, affecting prices and supply chains worldwide.

The CEO's remarks suggest that geopolitical tensions in the region are expected to persist well into 2026, effectively delaying any meaningful supply-side recovery. The warning adds to a broader climate of uncertainty facing energy markets, as governments and industries grapple with the downstream consequences of an extended period of constrained oil flow from a critical chokepoint.