The United States’ Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) has fallen to its lowest level since 1983 after emergency oil stocks declined by 5.1 million barrels, according to data from the US Department of Energy.
The decline reflects continued pressure on the country’s largest emergency oil stockpile amid energy market volatility and ongoing geopolitical tensions.
🛢 US oil reserves have decreased from 720 to 311 million barrels.
— 𝕊𝕡𝕣𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕻𝕣𝕖𝕤𝕤 (@SprinterPress) July 20, 2026
Only 11 million barrels remain before reaching a critical level… pic.twitter.com/Pja1N9O2WP
The latest reduction is part of a strategic reserve withdrawal program that has released about 172 million barrels into global markets in an effort to support supply levels and help stabilize oil prices.
Data showed that SPR inventories have dropped by around 104.04 million barrels since the end of February, coinciding with the impact of heightened geopolitical tensions, including the repercussions of the US-Israeli conflict with Iran, through July 17.
Wow! Crude Oil only has 43 days of supply left in the U.S. This is the lowest inventory in 45 years, thanks to Trump’s stupid war in Iran.
— Ed Krassenstein (@EdKrassen) July 20, 2026
He’s literally draining our oil reserves. Remember when he criticized Biden for releasing oil from the reserves? He’s done so much worse. pic.twitter.com/ivt24W90Gk
The US Department of Energy is expected to release its latest official inventory data on Wednesday, providing further insight into stock levels and supply trends in the world’s largest oil-consuming economy.
Source: Agencies