Tornado Alley (PROG)

[blackhawks]

Wait for amazing MAGA backflips and other mental contortions when Trump proposes to tap the Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR).

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) is the world's largest emergency supply of crude oil, established by the U.S. government in 1975 to mitigate major supply disruptions and protect the national economy.
Department of Energy (.gov)
Department of Energy (.gov)
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Current Status (March 2026)
Inventory Level: Approximately 415 million barrels.
Total Capacity: Authorized for up to 714 million barrels.

Recent Activity:
Refill Efforts: The Trump administration has made refilling the SPR to capacity a priority, though it has no immediate plans for a release despite rising tensions in the Middle East.

Historical Lows: The reserve reached its lowest levels in 40 years following a record 180-million-barrel drawdown in 2022 by the previous administration.

Staffing: Operated by approximately 111 federal employees and nearly 900 contractors.
Department of Energy (.gov)
Department of Energy (.gov)
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Operational Infrastructure
The SPR consists of 60 underground salt caverns at four major sites along the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana.
Department of Energy (.gov)
Department of Energy (.gov)
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Bryan Mound (Freeport, TX): Largest site with 20 caverns and 254 million barrel capacity.
Big Hill (Winnie, TX): 14 caverns with 170 million barrel capacity.
West Hackberry (Lake Charles, LA): 21 caverns with 220 million barrel capacity.
Bayou Choctaw (Baton Rouge, LA): 6 caverns with 76 million barrel capacity.
Wikipedia
Wikipedia
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Key Distribution Facts
Maximum Drawdown: Up to 4.4 million barrels per day.
Market Entry Time: Oil can reach the market within 13 days of a presidential order.
Connected Systems: Linked via three pipeline systems (Seaway, Texoma, and Capline) to major refining centers and marine terminals.
Department of Energy (.gov)
Department of Energy (.gov)
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Global Context
IEA Requirement: Member nations must maintain at least 90 days of net oil imports.

Other Major Reserves:
Japan: Holds public reserves for over 200 days of imports; refiners recently requested a release due to Middle East crises.

China: Estimated to hold the world's second-largest reserve, with significant state and commercial stocks.
Department of Energy (.gov)
Department of Energy (.gov)
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