Experts disputed U.S. claims that pipelines could make Strait of Hormuz irrelevant
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said new pipelines could carry 50% to 70% of energy products normally shipped through the Strait of Hormuz. Energy analysts argued that planned capacity would remain below previous flows and would not eliminate the chokepoint’s importance.
By DoomRadar · Published on DoomRadar . Updated .
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How the effects could reach youConditional effects
Based on one source with available article excerpts. Source-linked claims are not independent confirmation.
What happened
Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said the United States expected pipelines to carry 50% to 70% of energy products normally shipped through the Strait of Hormuz, eventually making the route irrelevant. The statement was made while Washington pursued sanctions intended to loosen Iran’s hold on the waterway. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- U.S. says pipelines will make Strait of Hormuz irrelevant. Energy experts disagreekrcu.org · Article published: Aug 28, 2026, 5:00 AM UTC
Energy analysts and an organization representing major oil producers disputed that assessment. Analyst Robert McNally called the claim that Hormuz would become irrelevant overstated and said the strait would remain an essential energy chokepoint in the near future. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- U.S. says pipelines will make Strait of Hormuz irrelevant. Energy experts disagreekrcu.org · Article published: Aug 28, 2026, 5:00 AM UTC
Analyst Goldwyn estimated that pipelines expected to become operational over the coming years would provide about 10 million to 12 million barrels a day. The cited estimate was below the 20 million barrels a day that passed through Hormuz before the Iran war began in late February. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- U.S. says pipelines will make Strait of Hormuz irrelevant. Energy experts disagreekrcu.org · Article published: Aug 28, 2026, 5:00 AM UTC
McNally distinguished Hormuz from the Bab el-Mandeb chokepoint. He said disruptions at Bab el-Mandeb can come and go without trapping supply, while Hormuz can trap supply through shutdowns of fields and refinery outages in the region. [1]
References for this detail (1)
- U.S. says pipelines will make Strait of Hormuz irrelevant. Energy experts disagreekrcu.org · Article published: Aug 28, 2026, 5:00 AM UTC
Context from the sources
The analysis described the proposed pipelines as infrastructure intended to redirect regional energy flows around Hormuz, but said the projects were expected to come online over several years rather than immediately. [1]
Explore the sources and reporting timeline
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Source timeline
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- [1] U.S. says pipelines will make Strait of Hormuz irrelevant. Energy experts disagreekrcu.orgReferenced for: detail 1, detail 2, detail 3, detail 4
Questions answered by the reporting
How much capacity did the cited pipelines represent?
An analyst estimated that pipelines expected over coming years could handle about 10 million to 12 million barrels a day, below the 20 million barrels a day that previously passed through the strait. [1]
Why do analysts still view Hormuz as different from other chokepoints?
Robert McNally said Hormuz can trap supply, including through field shutdowns and refinery outages, whereas disruptions at Bab el-Mandeb do not necessarily trap supplies. [1]
What this could mean for you
Fuel costs could remain sensitive to disruption around the Strait of Hormuz.
Analysts say planned bypass pipelines would provide less capacity than earlier flows through the chokepoint, leaving supply exposed.
Reported basis: [1] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: Shipping through Hormuz is materially disrupted before sufficient alternative capacity exists.
Possible time frame: months, if those conditions hold.
Energy supply planning could face continued uncertainty during the transition to any new pipeline capacity.
Pipeline construction is expected to take years and would not fully replace the cited historical shipping volume.
Reported basis: [1] · The possible effect is interpretation.
Depends on: Projects proceed but remain below the volume previously shipped through Hormuz.
Possible time frame: months, if those conditions hold.
Possible consequences, not a forecast. Their relevance depends on your location and the conditions above.
For your country
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What changes the outlook
Risk increases if…
A disruption to shipping through Hormuz before replacement pipelines provide substantial capacity would deepen the documented supply vulnerability.
Delays in bringing the cited pipeline projects online would prolong dependence on the chokepoint.
Pressure eases if…
New pipeline capacity coming online would provide some alternative routes for regional energy flows.
Maintaining shipping access through the Strait of Hormuz would reduce the immediate need for substitute capacity.
Still unclear
The excerpts do not establish whether any specific pipeline project has received final approval or a firm completion date.
They do not establish a current closure or operational restriction in the Strait of Hormuz.
Market implications
Market impact
Sources (1)
References for the reported details. Separate links do not necessarily mean independent confirmation.
Available excerpt
AMMAN, Jordan — The U.S. has announced new economic sanctions aimed at loosening Iran's hold on the Strait of Hormuz while counting on Middle East…A short excerpt from our source record; open the original for the full article.
First tracked by DoomRadar: . AI-assisted analysis · . Based on linked headlines and available excerpts. Methodology · Report an error.