Shale Is Keeping the World Awash With Oil as Conflicts Abound

A shock surge in American oil and fuel manufacturing and exports helps to maintain the world stocked, blunting the influence of widening battle within the Center East that has crimped key delivery lanes. 

When Iranian-backed Houthi militants started launching missiles and drones at ships crossing the Pink Sea close to Yemen in October, many feared disruption to the very important delivery lane would drive up power costs. However oil and fuel costs this previous month have sunk about 5% and 23%, respectively.