U.S. Department of Energy Announces New Solicitation for Strategic Petroleum Reserve

In a recent announcement, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has revealed a new solicitation for the purchase of up to 3 million barrels of oil for delivery to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). This move aligns with the Biden-Harris Administration's commitment to replenish the SPR at a good deal for American taxpayers, maintain its operational readiness, and protect the nation's energy security.


The DOE's strategy involves making consistent solicitations when oil prices are favorable for taxpayers, aiming for an average price of $79 per barrel or less. This is significantly lower than the average of about $95 per barrel received for 2022 emergency SPR sales. By securing a good deal for taxpayers, the Administration seeks to maximize the SPR's capacity while minimizing costs.


The Administration's ongoing three-part replenishment strategy includes direct purchases with revenues from emergency sales, exchange returns with a premium of oil above the volume delivered, and securing legislative solutions to avoid unnecessary sales unrelated to supply disruptions. The DOE has already secured the cancellation of 140 million barrels of congressionally mandated sales scheduled for Fiscal Years 2024 through 2027, resulting in significant progress toward replenishment.

The SPR continues to be the world's largest supply of emergency crude oil, stored in underground salt caverns at four sites in Texas and Louisiana. Through scheduled maintenance periods and the Life Extension 2 program, the DOE prioritizes the operational integrity of the SPR to ensure it can continue to meet its mission as a critical energy security asset.

The new solicitation for up to 3 million barrels of oil for delivery to the SPR is a testament to the Administration's commitment to safeguarding and replenishing this critical energy security asset. This follows the historic release from the SPR to address the significant global supply disruption caused by Putin's war on Ukraine and help keep the domestic market well supplied, ultimately helping to bring down prices for American consumers and businesses.

In conclusion, the U.S. Department of Energy's announcement of a new solicitation for the purchase of up to 3 million barrels of oil for delivery to the Strategic Petroleum Reserve demonstrates the Administration's dedication to securing a good deal for taxpayers, maintaining the SPR's operational readiness, and protecting the nation's energy security. This move is part of a broader strategy to replenish the SPR while taking advantage of favorable market conditions.