Valuetainment “China Has 21 Days” - Strait Of Hormuz Crisis THREATENS China’s Oil Lifeline
Mar 6, 2026
Tom Ellsworth, energy and markets commentator who analyzes oil prices and geopolitics. He explains the WTI jump and how crude spikes hit pump prices. He breaks down Strait of Hormuz closure effects, China’s 21-day oil vulnerability, and global supply routes that keep markets tense.
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Strait Of Hormuz Closure Pushes Oil Prices Higher
- Closure of the Strait of Hormuz immediately tightens global oil markets and raises prices.
- Tom Ellsworth explains higher demand for U.S. output plus Hormuz closure drove WTI up about $6 that day to $87 per barrel.
Venezuela Output Doubled After Regime Shift
- Tom Ellsworth recounts U.S. increasing Venezuelan output twofold after removing Maduro.
- He contrasts past 'sneaked' embargo oil with now-open pipelines doubling recent Venezuelan shipments.
Shale Break Even Holds Global Supply Floor
- U.S. shale profitability target keeps producers online near $65 per barrel, shaping supply dynamics.
- Rob and Tom note prices below that (2020) stopped production, while prices above enable increased U.S. shale output.