Saudi Aramco has exported the first cargo of crude on behalf of Bahrain’s Bapco since the start of the Middle East conflict. The latest Jodi data shows that Saudi Arabia ‘imported’ 42,000 b/d of crude oil in July. Cargoes of Abu Safah crude exported on behalf of Bapco are listed on Jodi in this way, and there are no indications of any actual crude deliveries to Saudi Arabia in this period. The development provides a modicum of economic relief to Bahrain, which has been hit hard by the conflict. Exports from its Sitra refinery have increased in recent months, but are primarily limited to trade within the Gulf.