Story perspectives

U.S. SPR Falls Below 300 Million Barrels, Raising Cave-In Risks

8/16/2026

Summary

Story summary

The United States drew down 172 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, leaving about 243 million after the Iran-war release.
Department of Energy data released Monday showed SPR inventories fell below 300 million barrels for the first time since the early 1980s.
Senior energy advisor Amos Hochstein and petroleum engineering professor Siddharth Misra warned that dropping below 300 million barrels could damage the salt caverns, wash away walls and raise cave-in risk.

1 of 1

Story summary

The United States drew down 172 million barrels from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, leaving about 243 million after the Iran-war release.
Department of Energy data released Monday showed SPR inventories fell below 300 million barrels for the first time since the early 1980s.
Senior energy advisor Amos Hochstein and petroleum engineering professor Siddharth Misra warned that dropping below 300 million barrels could damage the salt caverns, wash away walls and raise cave-in risk.