[U.S. Crude Oil Delivery Hub Faces Critical Shortage] According to CNN, as the Middle East conflict continues to disrupt global energy supplies, the international crude oil market is facing an increasingly concerning risk signal — a critical shortage at the U.S. crude oil delivery hub in Cushing, nearing its operational limits. Located in Oklahoma, Cushing serves as the delivery point for West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures and is one of the most important crude oil distribution centers in the U.S. Under normal circumstances, Cushing holds about 40 million barrels of oil, with a maximum storage capacity of 75 million barrels. However, the latest data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows that local inventories have dropped to 21.6 million barrels, only slightly above the operational warning threshold of approximately 20 million barrels commonly recognized in the industry.