US Energy Secretary Chris Wright confirmed that the Strategic Petroleum Reserve currently holds approximately 300 million barrels, down from around 400 million before the Iran conflict. Since the conflict escalated in late February 2026, the US government has released 172 million barrels from the SPR to offset supply disruptions, bringing inventories to less than 42% of the reserve’s total capacity of 714 million barrels. A zero-cost replenishment plan relies on exchange agreements with oil companies that require returning 1.25 barrels for every barrel borrowed, which would add approximately 40 million barrels once the conflict ends. At US consumption rates of roughly 20 million barrels per day, the current 300 million barrel stockpile represents about 15 days of national demand, far below the 90-day target recommended by the International Energy Agency.
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