(DCNF)—Lost in much of the discussion about the current global deficit of crude oil is a new reality that had been brewing for some time even before the Iran Conflict began on March 1: The fact that OPEC — and its bigger sister, OPEC+ — has lost its teeth.
Worse for its member nations, the most famous — and sometimes infamous — cartel of the 20th century has no obvious way to recover its bite.
Signals from key members have led to reports that OPEC+ plans to fully unwind what remains of the voluntary production quota cuts the group implemented during the post-COVID crisis years. Those reductions of several million barrels per day were intended to avoid a full collapse of global crude prices like the one seen in April 2020, when the West Texas Intermediate index price briefly traded in negative numbers as the global economy largely shut down.
OPEC+ saw the problem: There was too much oil production chasing too little demand and the cartel responded with agreed-to cuts by all members. When those reductions proved inadequate, eight of its bigger members beefed the program up with further voluntary cuts of their own.
The strategy was effective to some extent but lost its impact over time amid rising production levels from the United States, Guyana and other non-OPEC+ nations.
Throughout 2025 and the early weeks of 2026, it was obvious that the cartel really had little control over global crude prices, as the WTI index dropped to as low as $55/barrel in mid-January 2026. Again, OPEC+ members faced the reality that there was too much oil chasing too little demand on the market, and this time they had no effective way to address the matter.
Then came the war between the U.S. and Iran, and the equation radically reversed. OPEC+ has responded by gradually unwinding its millions of barrels in cuts, and now will apparently abandon what little is left at its Aug. 2 meeting, mainly because it has no other tool at its disposal. The problem there is that its Persian Gulf members — some of which, like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Iraq, Oman and the United Arab Emirates — remain under attack from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard and held hostage at various levels to the closure at the Strait of Hormuz.
They have little means to raise production regardless of any quotas theoretically imposed by their cartel.
Making matters worse, Saudi Arabia is now being impacted by the Iran-sponsored Houthi effort to shut down the Bab el Mandeb Strait at the southern exit to the Red Sea. The cartel’s largest producer has been bypassing the Strait of Hormuz problem by shipping as much as 7 million barrels of oil per day through its east-west Petroline Pipeline to the King Fahad Industrial Port at Yanbu.
That workaround had helped keep a lid on crude price spikes since March. The Houthi threat escalated overnight Friday when the Yemen-based Houthis claimed to have hit a major Saudi refinery at the port city of Jazan, which sits near Saudi Arabia’s border with Yemen.
Should the Bab el Mandeb choke point remain effectively closed for an extended time, Saudi Arabia would be left to try to ship out as much of its production as possible northwards into the Mediterranean Sea via the Suez Canal. But the Suez cannot accommodate fully loaded VLCCs, the largest class of crude tankers.
The other problem would be that Saudi tankers serving Asian markets would then have to transit the African continent to reach their destinations, adding about four weeks to their journey.
The Saudis also maintain access to the Sumed pipeline system, which cuts across Egypt to the Mediterranean. Sumed is a twin set of pipelines each with a capacity to move 1.25 million barrels per day. This all would radically complicate Saudi Arabia’s logistics, but oil does tend to find its way onto the market one way or another.
Back to OPEC+, what this all means is that its quotas and cuts to them have been rendered irrelevant to the market. Four years ago, the decision to fully unwind those cuts would have been major market news.
Now, it will be a blip on the screen, because it just doesn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. My, how times change.
David Blackmon is an energy writer and consultant based in Texas. He spent 40 years in the oil and gas business, where he specialized in public policy and communications.
The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not reflect the official position of the Daily Caller News Foundation.
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Starting the Day With a Scripture-Inspired Roast Helps Center Your Thoughts on Eternal Truths Amid Temporal Pressures
The world can seem chaotic, especially right after we wake up. Many believers start their mornings reaching for something familiar — a hot cup of coffee — yet end up settling for mediocre brews that do little more than deliver a caffeine jolt. The daily grind of life, with its endless distractions, news cycles, and responsibilities, can leave even the most faithful feeling spiritually parched alongside their physical fatigue. What if your morning ritual could do more than wake you up? What if it could ground you in truth, nourish your body with exceptional quality, and quietly advance a kingdom purpose at the same time?
That’s the promise — and the reality — behind Promised Grounds Coffee. This Christian-founded company doesn’t just roast beans; it approaches every step as an act of worship and discipleship. By selecting only the top 10% of specialty-grade beans, ethically sourced from dedicated farmers in Central and South America, and small-batch roasting them with reverence in Austin, Texas, Promised Grounds delivers what many describe as the best coffee available — never burnt, never bland, but rich with origin stories and layered flavors that honor God’s creation.
From the vibrant Psalm 27 Roast (a light, bright medium option) to the bold yet peaceful 2 Timothy 1:7 Decaf, each bag carries a Scripture verse that turns your daily pour into a gentle reminder of faith. And through their Ounce Per Ounce Promise, every ounce of coffee you enjoy provides an equal ounce of clean water to families in need via partnership with Filter of Hope — literally brewing hope for body and soul, one cup at a time.
The challenge for today’s Christians runs deeper than finding a decent cup. In an age of convenience-driven consumerism, it’s easy to support companies that dilute values or remain silent on matters of faith. Many believers want their everyday choices — from what they drink to how they spend — to reflect discipleship rather than just convenience. Promised Grounds solves this by weaving Christian excellence into the entire process: beans nurtured with prayerful stewardship by farming families, roasted as an offering rather than a commodity, and packaged with Bible verses to encourage a mindset of gratitude and purpose from the first sip. Reviewers consistently praise the smooth, rich profiles — whether enjoyed black in a drip maker, iced on a warm day, or shared in fellowship — noting how the quality stands toe-to-toe with premium secular brands while delivering something far more meaningful.
This integration of faith and flavor addresses a real need in Christian households and ministries. Busy parents, church leaders, and remote workers alike report that starting the day with a Scripture-inspired roast helps center their thoughts on eternal truths amid temporal pressures. The coffee’s exceptional character — bright citrus notes in lighter roasts or deep chocolate undertones in bolder ones — comes from meticulous selection and careful roasting that respects the bean’s natural gifts rather than masking them. It’s the kind of coffee that elevates a simple quiet time, fuels productive workdays, or sparks meaningful conversations when shared at Bible studies or outreach events. And because it’s ethically sourced with integrity, every purchase supports sustainable livelihoods for farmers who treat their crops like family harvests.
For those leading churches or small groups, the impact multiplies. Promised Grounds offers bundles and options perfect for hospitality ministries, turning ordinary coffee service into an opportunity to point people toward the living water of Christ. Imagine greeting visitors with a warm cup whose very bag carries God’s Word — a subtle yet powerful witness that aligns with the Great Commission. The company’s Texas roots and commitment to “brewing hope” resonate especially with believers who value American enterprise paired with global compassion.
Of course, quality alone isn’t enough if the experience feels out of reach. Promised Grounds keeps it accessible with practical perks like free shipping on orders over $40, sample sets for discovering favorites, and thoughtful add-ons such as faith-themed mugs. Whether you prefer whole beans for fresh grinding, grounds for convenience, or even bulk options for larger households and ministries, the result is consistently superior coffee that makes discipleship feel integrated rather than added on.
As you consider how to align even the smallest habits with your walk with God, Promised Grounds Coffee stands out as a refreshing solution. It tackles the dual problems of subpar daily sustenance and disconnected consumption by offering a product that genuinely excels in taste while advancing a mission of clean water, farmer dignity, and scriptural encouragement. Believers who make the switch often describe it as more than a beverage upgrade — it becomes part of their rhythm of gratitude, a daily invitation to remember that every good gift comes from above.
If you’re ready to transform your mornings (and perhaps your church gatherings) with coffee that honors both exceptional craftsmanship and Christian values, I encourage you to explore what Promised Grounds has to offer. One sip at a time, you’ll be nourishing your body, refreshing your spirit, and participating in something far greater — all while enjoying what truly is among the best coffee available.