U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve Falls to Lowest Level Since 1982
The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve has dropped to its lowest level since 1982, reaching 283.8 million barrels following a significant drawdown. This decline is primarily attributed to a 172 million-barrel release authorized by President Trump as part of a coordinated international effort to stabilize oil markets. Analysts warn that continued depletion of the reserve may have diminishing returns and could negatively impact market perceptions of supply security.
- ▪The U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve fell to 283.8 million barrels, marking the lowest level since October 1982.
- ▪The drawdown resulted from a 172 million-barrel release authorized by President Trump in March, which was part of a larger 400 million-barrel IEA initiative.
- ▪Federal law sets an operational minimum for the reserve at 252.4 million barrels, a level the current stockpile is approaching.
- ▪Approximately 133 million barrels of the released oil are structured as swaps with major trading firms, with returns scheduled to begin early next year.
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| Original publisher | OilPrice.com |
| Canonical URL | https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/US-Strategic-Petroleum-Reserve-Falls-to-Lowest-Level-Since-1982.html |
| Publication time | Tue, 29 Sep 2026 02:26:59 +0000 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-09-29T03:09:28.966Z |
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Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
Crude stocks in the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve stood at 284.6 million barrels for the week ending September 18, according to the Energy Information Administration, down from 285.0 million the week before and 406.0 million a year earlier. Department of Energy data show the reserve fell further the following week, to 283.8 million barrels, the lowest level since October 1982. The reserve has now set a new multi-decade low twice this year, first falling below 300 million barrels, and below its 1983 level, in early August.The current drawdown traces back to a 172 million-barrel release President Trump authorized in March, part of a coordinated 400 million-barrel release by 32 IEA member countries.
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