Persian Gulf Oil Output Plummets 57% Amid War
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 24 2026
0mins
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Significant Output Decline: Goldman Sachs estimates that oil production from the Persian Gulf has dropped by 57% from pre-war levels, equating to a reduction of approximately 14.5 million barrels per day, which has severely impacted the global oil market and forced countries to rely on reserves to cover the shortfall.
- Emergency Stock Release: The International Energy Agency (IEA) has released a record 400 million barrels of oil, including 172 million barrels from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), aimed at alleviating supply crises caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the urgent need for stable supply in global markets.
- Infrastructure Support: Oil pipeline companies such as Enterprise Products Partners and Enbridge are facilitating the transport of crude oil from the SPR to global markets, with their critical oil infrastructure ensuring efficient flow from storage to market, which is expected to enhance their cash flow and dividend yields.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: Due to supply issues in the Persian Gulf, these energy companies are projected to see increased volumes, boosting their cash flow and further supporting their high-yielding and steadily rising dividends, reflecting the growing importance of infrastructure in an uncertain market environment.
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Analyst Views on ENB
Wall Street analysts forecast ENB stock price to fall
10 Analyst Rating
5 Buy
5 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 53.990
Low
45.79
Averages
53.54
High
69.00
Current: 53.990
Low
45.79
Averages
53.54
High
69.00
About ENB
Enbridge Inc. is an energy transportation and distribution company. The Company's segments include Liquids Pipelines, Gas Transmission, Gas Distribution and Storage, and Renewable Power Generation. Liquids Pipelines consists of pipelines and terminals in Canada and United States that transport and export various grades of crude oil and other liquid hydrocarbons, including the Mainline System, Regional Oil Sands System, Gulf Coast and Mid-Continent, and Other. Gas Transmission consists of its investments in natural gas pipelines and gathering and processing facilities in Canada and United States, including United States Gas Transmission, Canadian Gas Transmission, United States Midstream, and Other. Gas Distribution and Storage consists of its rate-regulated natural gas utility operations in Canada and United States. Renewable Power Generation consists primarily of investments in wind and solar assets, as well as equity interests in geothermal power and power transmission assets.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Capital Investment Opportunities: The company is examining potential new capital investment opportunities ranging from $10 billion to $20 billion over the next 24 months, reflecting its proactive approach to business expansion amid rising oil prices and surging global energy demand.
- Confidence from Competition: Colin Gruending, president of the liquids pipelines division, emphasized that increased competition is not a threat but rather a positive sign of growth for the entire Canadian industry, showcasing confidence in the region's outlook.
- Financial Performance Fluctuations: Despite a year-over-year decline in Q1 net profit to C$1.67 billion (approximately US$1.22 billion), the increase in distributable cash flow from gas transmission and distribution indicates the company's resilience in diversifying its revenue streams.
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- Stable Cash Flows: Both companies operate large energy infrastructure in North America, where their fee-based model prioritizes transportation volumes over energy price fluctuations, allowing them to maintain strong cash flows even in a high oil price environment, ensuring dividend sustainability.
- Chevron's Diversification Advantage: Chevron provides a 3.7% dividend yield, and with its globally diversified operations and strong balance sheet (debt-to-equity ratio of about 0.25), it demonstrates resilience amid oil price volatility, making it suitable for investors looking to invest directly in oil production.
- Future Oil Price Expectations: While current oil prices are high, history shows that volatility is the norm, so investors should proceed cautiously, considering the potential for future price declines; the stable dividends from Enterprise, Enbridge, and Chevron provide a safety margin for investors.
See More
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- Dividend Reliability: Enterprise has increased its dividend for 27 consecutive years, while Enbridge has done so for 31 years, demonstrating their ability to maintain stability in a volatile energy market, which enhances investor confidence.
- Attractiveness of Chevron: Despite oil price fluctuations, Chevron provides a 3.7% dividend yield, and its strong balance sheet, with a debt-to-equity ratio of approximately 0.25, showcases its resilience throughout the energy cycle, making it suitable for investors wanting direct exposure to oil production.
- Cautious Investment Advice: Given the current geopolitical tensions driving up oil prices, investors should proceed with caution, as high prices are not sustainable; opting for stable high-yield stocks like Enterprise and Enbridge can help protect investments when oil prices eventually decline.
See More
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- Midstream Advantage: Midstream companies like Enterprise Products Partners and Enbridge own energy infrastructure and generate stable cash flows by charging fees, thus reducing their exposure to commodity price fluctuations throughout the energy cycle.
- Attractive Yields: With a distribution yield of 5.7% for Enterprise and 5.1% for Enbridge, both companies are appealing to dividend-seeking investors, especially compared to the S&P 500's 1.2% yield, and they have a strong track record of dividend growth.
- Buying Opportunity During Market Crash: In the event of a market crash, the dividend payments from Enterprise and Enbridge are likely to remain intact, potentially attracting new investors and pushing yields closer to 10%, providing a stable return in a volatile market environment.
See More
Investment Strategy Analysis for Energy Stocks
- Market Volatility: Despite Diamondback Energy's 27% increase in realized oil and gas sales prices in Q1 2026, leading to a 35% stock price rise, the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East suggest that high oil prices may not last, and a future decline could negatively impact the company.
- Midstream Business Advantage: Enterprise Products Partners and Enbridge, as midstream companies, own energy infrastructure and generate stable cash flows through usage fees, allowing them to remain profitable throughout the energy cycle while reducing dependence on commodity price fluctuations.
- Attractive High Yields: With a distribution yield of 5.7% for Enterprise and a 5.1% dividend yield for Enbridge, both companies are highly appealing to yield-seeking investors compared to the S&P 500's meager 1.2% yield, and they have a long history of dividend growth.
- Buying Opportunity During Market Crash: In the event of a market crash, while the share prices of Enterprise and Enbridge may fall, investors would still receive dividends, and the yields could rise, attracting new investors and providing a significant opportunity to buy reliable businesses in a volatile market.
See More
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- Energy Price Volatility: The geopolitical conflict in the Middle East has driven energy prices higher, which benefits producers like Diamondback Energy; however, historical trends indicate that prices will eventually decline, negatively impacting their stock prices.
- Midstream Company Advantage: Midstream firms like Enterprise Products Partners and Enbridge generate stable cash flows with distribution yields of 5.7% and 5.1%, respectively, making them attractive during market fluctuations, especially in a high-yield environment.
- Dividend Stability: Enterprise has increased its distribution for 27 consecutive years, while Enbridge has maintained a 31-year dividend streak in Canadian dollars, demonstrating resilience amid energy price volatility and appealing to income-seeking investors.
- Market Crash Opportunity: In the event of a market crash, while the stock prices of Enterprise and Enbridge may fall, investors would still receive dividends, and the increased yields could attract new investors, presenting a prime opportunity to invest in these reliable businesses within a volatile sector.
See More
Enbridge CEO: Energy Investment Climate at Its Best in Over a Decade
- Strong Investment Climate: Enbridge CEO Greg Ebel stated that the current investment climate for energy infrastructure in North America is the strongest in over a decade, driven by a global oil and gas supply crunch that has significantly increased demand for the company's services, indicating a robust market recovery potential.
- Capital Investment Opportunities: The company is examining potential new capital investment opportunities ranging from $10 billion to $20 billion over the next 24 months, reflecting its proactive approach to business expansion amid rising oil prices and surging global energy demand.
- Confidence from Competition: Colin Gruending, president of the liquids pipelines division, emphasized that increased competition is not a threat but rather a positive sign of growth for the entire Canadian industry, showcasing confidence in the region's outlook.
- Financial Performance Fluctuations: Despite a year-over-year decline in Q1 net profit to C$1.67 billion (approximately US$1.22 billion), the increase in distributable cash flow from gas transmission and distribution indicates the company's resilience in diversifying its revenue streams.
See More
Steady Investment Choices Amid High Oil Prices
- Attractive Yields: Enterprise Products Partners and Enbridge offer dividend yields of 5.6% and 5.1%, respectively, and despite the tax complexities for investors, their stable cash flows and long histories of dividend growth make them ideal for conservative investors.
- Stable Cash Flows: Both companies operate large energy infrastructure in North America, where their fee-based model prioritizes transportation volumes over energy price fluctuations, allowing them to maintain strong cash flows even in a high oil price environment, ensuring dividend sustainability.
- Chevron's Diversification Advantage: Chevron provides a 3.7% dividend yield, and with its globally diversified operations and strong balance sheet (debt-to-equity ratio of about 0.25), it demonstrates resilience amid oil price volatility, making it suitable for investors looking to invest directly in oil production.
- Future Oil Price Expectations: While current oil prices are high, history shows that volatility is the norm, so investors should proceed cautiously, considering the potential for future price declines; the stable dividends from Enterprise, Enbridge, and Chevron provide a safety margin for investors.
See More
Oil Price Volatility Influences Investment Strategies
- High-Yield Investment Options: Enterprise Products Partners and Enbridge offer attractive yields of 5.6% and 5.1%, respectively, appealing to conservative investors seeking stable cash flows amidst high oil prices, thereby mitigating investment risks.
- Dividend Reliability: Enterprise has increased its dividend for 27 consecutive years, while Enbridge has done so for 31 years, demonstrating their ability to maintain stability in a volatile energy market, which enhances investor confidence.
- Attractiveness of Chevron: Despite oil price fluctuations, Chevron provides a 3.7% dividend yield, and its strong balance sheet, with a debt-to-equity ratio of approximately 0.25, showcases its resilience throughout the energy cycle, making it suitable for investors wanting direct exposure to oil production.
- Cautious Investment Advice: Given the current geopolitical tensions driving up oil prices, investors should proceed with caution, as high prices are not sustainable; opting for stable high-yield stocks like Enterprise and Enbridge can help protect investments when oil prices eventually decline.
See More
Caution Advised for Energy Stocks Investment
- Market Volatility: The high volatility of energy prices poses risks for upstream producers like Diamondback Energy, which saw a 27% increase in oil and gas sales prices in Q1; however, future oil price declines due to geopolitical tensions easing could lead to stock price drops.
- Midstream Advantage: Midstream companies like Enterprise Products Partners and Enbridge own energy infrastructure and generate stable cash flows by charging fees, thus reducing their exposure to commodity price fluctuations throughout the energy cycle.
- Attractive Yields: With a distribution yield of 5.7% for Enterprise and 5.1% for Enbridge, both companies are appealing to dividend-seeking investors, especially compared to the S&P 500's 1.2% yield, and they have a strong track record of dividend growth.
- Buying Opportunity During Market Crash: In the event of a market crash, the dividend payments from Enterprise and Enbridge are likely to remain intact, potentially attracting new investors and pushing yields closer to 10%, providing a stable return in a volatile market environment.
See More
Investment Strategy Analysis for Energy Stocks
- Market Volatility: Despite Diamondback Energy's 27% increase in realized oil and gas sales prices in Q1 2026, leading to a 35% stock price rise, the geopolitical tensions in the Middle East suggest that high oil prices may not last, and a future decline could negatively impact the company.
- Midstream Business Advantage: Enterprise Products Partners and Enbridge, as midstream companies, own energy infrastructure and generate stable cash flows through usage fees, allowing them to remain profitable throughout the energy cycle while reducing dependence on commodity price fluctuations.
- Attractive High Yields: With a distribution yield of 5.7% for Enterprise and a 5.1% dividend yield for Enbridge, both companies are highly appealing to yield-seeking investors compared to the S&P 500's meager 1.2% yield, and they have a long history of dividend growth.
- Buying Opportunity During Market Crash: In the event of a market crash, while the share prices of Enterprise and Enbridge may fall, investors would still receive dividends, and the yields could rise, attracting new investors and providing a significant opportunity to buy reliable businesses in a volatile market.
See More
Middle East Conflict Drives Up Energy Prices
- Energy Price Volatility: The geopolitical conflict in the Middle East has driven energy prices higher, which benefits producers like Diamondback Energy; however, historical trends indicate that prices will eventually decline, negatively impacting their stock prices.
- Midstream Company Advantage: Midstream firms like Enterprise Products Partners and Enbridge generate stable cash flows with distribution yields of 5.7% and 5.1%, respectively, making them attractive during market fluctuations, especially in a high-yield environment.
- Dividend Stability: Enterprise has increased its distribution for 27 consecutive years, while Enbridge has maintained a 31-year dividend streak in Canadian dollars, demonstrating resilience amid energy price volatility and appealing to income-seeking investors.
- Market Crash Opportunity: In the event of a market crash, while the stock prices of Enterprise and Enbridge may fall, investors would still receive dividends, and the increased yields could attract new investors, presenting a prime opportunity to invest in these reliable businesses within a volatile sector.
See More
