The United States’ Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) has fallen to its lowest level since the 1980s, holding just over 331 million barrels of crude oil according to government data.
This decline follows a rapid drawdown that saw more than 14 million barrels leave the reserve during the two weeks ending June 19. The reduction coincides with President Trump’s administration and its ongoing military operations against Iran.
Trump previously acknowledged that oil reserves were a key factor in halting his failed attack on Iran: “When I signed the memorandum of understanding that paused the wasteful war, I confessed that oil reserves were a reason the failed U.S. attack had to stop.”
The SPR was established by President Gerald Ford in 1975 after the Arab oil embargo and energy crisis. It has now dropped below half its peak capacity—reaching over 726 million barrels in 2011.
This depletion is part of a pattern: Congress authorized 10 sales from the SPR between 2017 and 2023, releasing approximately 140 million barrels. The Biden administration released an additional 180 million barrels during the Russia-Ukraine War to stabilize global oil prices.
Trump has stated that he plans to replenish the reserve with 200 million barrels over the next year. However, as of June 22, the SPR stands at 331.2 million barrels—a level not seen in over four decades.
The Energy Information Administration reported that commercial crude oil inventories fell by 6.1 million barrels during the week ending June 19, bringing total U.S. reserves to 412.1 million barrels—7% below the five-year average for this time of year.
Former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene criticized the depletion: “Our SPR is extremely low because Trump released 172 million barrels of oil because of his Iran war and Biden released 180 million barrels of oil in ’22 because of the Ukraine Russia war.”
With U.S. oil consumption at 20-23 million barrels per day, the country’s total crude inventory (including both SPR and commercial stockpiles) stands at 743.3 million barrels—enough to last only 35 days without replenishment.
