CEO Patrick Pouyanné calls bypassing the Strait of Hormuz critical after disruptions threaten 20% of global oil supplies.
TotalEnergies CEO Patrick Pouyanné said developing pipelines to bypass the Strait of Hormuz is now an “absolute priority” due to ongoing shipping disruptions. The strait, which handles roughly a fifth of global oil supplies, has become a major vulnerability amid regional tensions.
Recent disruptions in the Persian Gulf have forced energy companies and governments to reassess supply chain resilience. Middle Eastern producers are accelerating pipeline projects to redirect exports through alternative routes, including Abu Dhabi, Iraq, Syria, and Turkey.
Pouyanné highlighted potential corridors, such as routes through Syria or Turkey to Mediterranean ports, as viable alternatives to the Hormuz chokepoint. The shift aims to mitigate risks from geopolitical instability in the region.