Oil prices rise as Gulf storm approaches and Saudi airports in Jazan and Najran

Brent crude futures climbed to about $101 per barrel and U.S. West Texas Intermediate rose above $90 per barrel as markets reacted to a developing Gulf of Mexico storm and recent attacks on Saudi airports in Jazan and Najran.

The storm, expected to become the first Atlantic hurricane of 2026 within two days, could affect six refineries that together represent roughly half of U.S. refining capacity, while U.S. crude inventories fell by 2.09 million barrels in the week to October 2.

Saudi Arabia’s East‑West pipeline continues to move 5.8 million barrels per day, and in the past week about 12 million barrels per day of crude and 2 million barrels per day of refined products have left the Middle East.