New Corolla offloads last California-bound Persian Gulf crude cargo
Updated
Updated · Los Angeles Times · May 3
New Corolla offloads last California-bound Persian Gulf crude cargo
11 articles · Updated · Los Angeles Times · May 3
The tanker is unloading 2 million barrels at Marathon Petroleum's Long Beach terminal, the final shipment to arrive after the Strait of Hormuz blockade.
California must replace about 200,000 barrels a day from the Gulf as gasoline tops $6 a gallon and refiners scramble for supplies from Latin America and Canada.
State officials say oil stocks should cover roughly six weeks and gasoline through May, but reduced fuel exports from South Korea and India could tighten June supplies.
How does an oil blockade in Iran threaten California's economy and U.S. military readiness?
Is California's fuel crisis a failure of green policy or a final warning to abandon fossil fuels?
The 2026 California Oil Crisis: Strait of Hormuz Blockade, Soaring Fuel Prices, and the Urgent Push for Energy Transition
Overview
In May 2026, California received its last shipment of Persian Gulf oil as the Strait of Hormuz was effectively closed due to escalating conflict and rival blockades between Iran and the United States. This double blockade cut off about 30% of California’s crude oil supply, creating an immediate crisis with soaring fuel prices and economic strain. The White House warned the disruption could last for months, prompting urgent talks with oil executives. California now faces severe challenges in securing alternative energy sources, highlighting its vulnerability to global conflicts and dependence on imported oil.