The 1973 oil crisis was the event when OPEC members restricted oil exports after the Yom Kippur War.
In October 1973, Arab members of OPEC announced an oil embargo against countries viewed as supporting Israel, including the United States and the Netherlands. The restrictions followed the outbreak of the Yom Kippur War between Israel and a coalition led by Egypt and Syria.
Oil prices rose sharply, and importing countries experienced shortages, long fuel queues and economic disruption. Governments introduced measures such as lower speed limits, reduced driving and energy-conservation campaigns.
The crisis showed how dependent industrial economies were on imported petroleum and encouraged investment in alternative energy, fuel efficiency, strategic reserves and new oil-production regions. It is distinct from the 1979 oil crisis, which followed the Iranian Revolution and further supply disruption.