The Trump administration is continuing large releases from the US Strategic
Petroleum Reserve to ease an energy squeeze from the US-Iran conflict and a
threatened Strait of Hormuz closure. DOE data show the SPR fell by 8.0 mln
barrels last week; the prior two weeks saw withdrawals of 9.1 mln and a record
9.9 mln barrels. Inventories are 357.1 mln barrels, the lowest since Jan 2024.
At the current pace the SPR could drop below the Biden-era low and reach its
lowest level since 1983 as early as next week. Since the conflict began the US
has released about 58 mln barrels, roughly 14% of the SPR. Analysts say
continued releases will weaken US ability to respond to hurricane-season or
other sudden supply disruptions.
