Biden releases 15 million oil barrels from strategic reserve

President Biden has announced the release of 15 million barrels of oil from the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) due to OPEC+ production cuts. This release completes the 180 million barrel authorization that Biden approved back in March, which was supposed to occur over 6 months, CBS News reports.
The announcement comes just ahead of the midterm elections, and serves as a bid to curb rising gas prices. Biden stated at a White House event that the release is "going to continue to stabilize markets and decrease the prices." He also blamed Russia's war on Ukraine for the stark increase in fuel costs, Reuters reports. Russia is a part of OPEC+ — the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries — which made the decision to cut oil production.
However, due to the release, the SPR is at its lowest level since 1984 with approximately 400 million barrels. To remedy this, Biden also announced that the government will repurchase crude oil when prices are at or below $67-$72 per barrel using fixed-price contracts. A White House press release details how the re-purchase method will create certainty for future energy requirements and protect taxpayers.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"We are preparing for the future and doing it in a way that's responsible from a taxpayer perspective and constructive for our domestic producers," a senior White House official told reporters.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Devika Rao has worked as a staff writer at The Week since 2022, covering science, the environment, climate and business. She previously worked as a policy associate for a nonprofit organization advocating for environmental action from a business perspective.
-
Giorgio Armani obituary: designer revolutionised the business of fashion
In the Spotlight ‘King Giorgio’ came from humble beginnings to become a titan of the fashion industry and redefine 20th century clothing
-
Crossword: September 13, 2025
The Week's daily crossword puzzle
-
Sudoku medium: September 13, 2025
The Week's daily medium sudoku puzzle
-
‘Peak consumption has become the Holy Grail of the energy debate’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
House posts lewd Epstein note attributed to Trump
Speed Read The estate of Jeffrey Epstein turned over the infamous 2003 birthday note from President Donald Trump
-
Supreme Court allows 'roving' race-tied ICE raids
Speed Read The court paused a federal judge's order barring agents from detaining suspected undocumented immigrants in LA based on race
-
South Korea to fetch workers detained in Georgia raid
Speed Read More than 300 South Korean workers detained in an immigration raid at a Hyundai plant will be released
-
Why are Trump's health rumors about more than just presidential fitness?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION Extended absences and unexplained bruises have raised concerns about both his well-being and his administration's transparency
-
DC sues Trump to end Guard 'occupation'
Speed Read D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb argues that the unsolicited military presence violates the law
-
RFK Jr. faces bipartisan heat in Senate hearing
Speed Read The health secretary defended his leadership amid CDC turmoil and deflected questions about the restricted availability of vaccines
-
White House defends boat strike as legal doubts mount
Speed Read Experts say there was no legal justification for killing 11 alleged drug-traffickers