DID Press: United States’ Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) fell by about 6.1 million barrels this week to approximately 298.7 million barrels, dropping below the 300-million-barrel mark for the first time since 1983.
The decline comes as Washington continues drawing on its emergency oil stockpile amid disruptions in global energy markets and heightened tensions surrounding oil supplies. The reserve stood at roughly 415 million barrels earlier this year, meaning its holdings have fallen by more than 116 million barrels since then.
The sharp reduction has raised concerns about the United States’ energy-security buffer. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is intended primarily to provide emergency supplies during major disruptions, and sustained drawdowns could limit Washington’s ability to respond to future supply shocks.
The latest decline also comes amid elevated oil prices and uncertainty surrounding global crude supplies. Analysts warn that continued pressure on the reserve could complicate U.S. energy policy and increase the economic risks associated with future disruptions.