US releases 40 million barrels of oil from strategic reserve

The US Department of Energy will release up to 40 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve by the decision of President Donald Trump. This amount will be provided on credit to energy companies to stabilize prices in the context of conflict in the Middle East. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry.

The oil will be supplied from Big Hill and Brian Mound storage facilities in Texas. The U.S. Department of Energy said it has completed four deals and provided more than 133 million barrels. Deliveries are also scheduled for November and December 2026. The agency notes that it replenishes the reserve at the expense of a 25% surcharge to the volume of oil that the companies return.

The move will be part of the U.S. pledge to release 172 million barrels to the global market. The agreement was signed with the member countries of the International Energy Agency. They agreed to allocate 400 million barrels of oil from their emergency reserves to stabilize the market situation due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

As of September 25, the U.S. strategic oil reserve fell to 1982 levels and amounted to 283.8 million barrels. The Strategic Reserve was established in 1975 following an Arab embargo that triggered the oil crisis. Its main task is to protect the United States from a sudden shortage of supplies. Oil is stored in huge underground salt domes in Texas and Louisiana.