Dubai – Oil prices recorded a sharp increase in early trading on Friday, October 23, 2026. The surge was primarily fueled by growing concerns regarding potential disruptions to energy supplies from the Middle East. These fears intensified following recent Houthi attacks targeting Saudi Arabia and a broader escalation of security tensions across the Arabian Gulf region.
Market Reactions and Price Movements
Data tracked by Washington-based Energy Platform showed that futures contracts for both Brent crude and West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rose significantly. Markets are increasingly anxious about the possibility of wider confrontations impacting global oil flows. This movement follows strong gains recorded on Thursday, where Brent reached its highest level since May.
On Thursday, October 22, oil prices had already jumped by approximately four percent. This initial rise was driven by fears of supply shortages amidst rising geopolitical instability. By 06:00 GMT, standard Brent December futures had risen by 0.5 percent, or 58 cents, to reach $113.75 per barrel.
Simultaneously, WTI December futures increased by 66 cents, or 0.7 percent, to trade at $100.13 per barrel. On a weekly basis, Brent is poised to record gains for the third consecutive week. It closed Thursday’s session at its highest point since May 4, while WTI is set to end the week lower after two weeks of previous gains.
Geopolitical Risks and Analyst Views
Market anxiety has grown regarding renewed escalation in the Arabian Gulf, which threatens stable oil flows. Analysts at ING warned that geopolitical risk premiums will likely persist in prices. In a Friday note, they stated that continued escalation appears the most probable path. They added that even mere probabilities of heightened tensions could sustain large risk premiums.
Ongoing clashes continue between the Houthis and the Saudi-led coalition supporting Yemen’s internationally recognized government. The Houthis have moved toward the Bab al-Mandab Strait, a crucial maritime passage at the Red Sea entrance. This development raises serious concerns regarding shipping security and transit safety in one of the world’s most vital energy corridors.
Production Issues in Libya
Lene Tran, an analyst at XS.com, noted that actual disruption volumes and recovery times will determine accepted supply risk premiums. She indicated that sustained attacks and delayed deliveries could support higher prices. Meanwhile, in Libya, a valve on a pipeline transporting oil from the Al-Hamada and Zueitina fields to the Zawia port was closed. This action reduced production in those fields, according to National Oil Corporation statements to Reuters on Thursday.
These developments add new pressure to oil markets. Traders are closely monitoring Middle East tensions alongside production and transport disruptions. There is widespread fear that geopolitical risk premiums will remain elevated if attacks intensify or if actual supplies are affected, keeping market volatility high in the coming sessions.
This story was produced in the newsroom from the disclosed sources named above.
