U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve Falls to Lowest Level Since 1982

America’s emergency oil stockpile has fallen to its lowest level in more than four decades.
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve dropped by another 5.3 million barrels last week to roughly 293.4 million barrels.
That is the lowest level since December 1982.
The drawdown is part of the U.S. commitment to release 172 million barrels from the reserve as disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz continue to restrict global oil supplies.
The SPR held roughly 415 million barrels before the latest emergency releases began in March.
Releasing reserves has helped cushion the immediate energy shock.
But it also leaves the U.S. with a much smaller buffer if the conflict escalates or another major supply disruption hits.
The longer Hormuz remains impaired, the more America is trading future energy security for lower prices today.