Oil stocks in US Strategic Petroleum Reserve fall to lowest level since 1982

Stocks of crude oil in the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) dropped to 285 million barrels last week, marking the lowest reserve level recorded since November 1982, according to official data released by the U.S. Department of Energy. The ongoing inventory drawdowns are part of a broader U.S. commitment to release 172 million barrels from the national emergency facility to help stabilize energy markets. This multi-decade low in emergency crude reserves significantly tightens government-held stockpiles, reducing the administration's emergency buffer against unexpected global supply disruptions or geopolitical shocks. With the strategic stockpile diminished, oil markets face increased vulnerability to supply bottlenecks, which is expected to support crude prices and place greater attention on long-term reserve replenishment timelines and structural market balances.