Despite rising prices, Trump downplays need to tap Strategic Petroleum Reserve. 'There's a lot of oil out there. That'll get healed very quickly' | Fortune
Briefly

Despite rising prices, Trump downplays need to tap Strategic Petroleum Reserve. 'There's a lot of oil out there. That'll get healed very quickly' | Fortune
"We've got a lot of oil. Our country has a tremendous amount. There's a lot of oil out there. That'll get healed very quickly. Trump stated this in response to questions about tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve amid rising oil prices caused by Middle East escalation, emphasizing domestic supply abundance rather than reserve deployment."
"The Strategic Petroleum Reserve is a collection of underground salt caverns in Texas and Louisiana that can hold more than 700 million barrels of oil, although it is not currently full. The reserve held more than 415 million barrels as of the end of last month, up from about 395 million barrels at this time in 2025, according to the U.S. Energy Department."
"The reserve was created after the 1970s Arab oil embargo to give the United States a supply that could be used in an emergency. The amount of oil inside peaked more than a decade and a half ago, Energy Department data shows, when the reserve held more than 726.6 million barrels at one point."
Following escalating military conflict in the Middle East involving the U.S. and Israel against Iran, global oil prices have increased significantly, creating pressure on American consumers through higher gas prices. President Trump rejected suggestions to access the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, asserting that the country possesses substantial oil reserves that will resolve the situation quickly. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve consists of underground salt caverns in Texas and Louisiana capable of storing over 700 million barrels, currently holding approximately 415 million barrels. Created after the 1970s Arab oil embargo, the reserve serves as emergency supply. Though the U.S. now exports more petroleum than it imports, the reserve has been utilized historically for various purposes including hurricane relief and deficit reduction. Republicans face electoral pressure regarding affordability concerns ahead of midterm elections.
Read at Fortune
Unable to calculate read time
[
|
]