Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR)
Origin, Purpose, and Mechanics
The US Strategic Petroleum Reserve was established in 1975 under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act, following the 1973–74 Arab oil embargo that exposed Western economies' vulnerability to supply disruptions. The US became a founding member of the IEA, which was created specifically to coordinate energy security responses among major oil-importing nations. The SPR is stored in underground salt caverns in Louisiana and Texas, with a total authorized capacity of 714 million barrels. The US is obligated to contribute approximately 43.9% of petroleum in any IEA-coordinated emergency release.
- Created in 1975 under the Energy Policy and Conservation Act following the 1973 Arab oil embargo
- Maximum authorized storage capacity: 714 million barrels in underground salt caverns in Texas and Louisiana
- The US holds the world's largest government-controlled oil reserve
- IEA members must maintain emergency oil stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of prior-year net oil imports
- The US must contribute approximately 43.9% of petroleum in any IEA-coordinated release
● Tracked since March 11, 2026 · last seen May 12, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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