Despite record West Asian crude oil flows, facilitated by bypass pipelines like Saudi Arabia's and UAE's Fujairah, and G-7 emergency stock releases, global oil prices remain around $100. This is significantly above pre-war levels of $70. The article questions why prices persist in shock and when importers like India can expect relief. Theories suggest exhausted Chinese stockpile drawdowns requiring replenishment, and ongoing threats to Saudi oil infrastructure, with Iran influencing US fuel costs, are key factors hindering further price drops.