US
3 MIN READ
Biden to release 15M barrels from US oil reserves after OPEC+ output cut
President Biden's planned announcement to draw down from strategic reserves comes after Saudi Arabia-led cartel's decision had Washington saying Riyadh sided with Moscow and pledging consequences for supply cuts of 2 million barrels a day.
Biden to release 15M barrels from US oil reserves after OPEC+ output cut
Biden releasing 15 million barrels would not cover even one full day’s use of oil in the US, according to Energy Information Administration. / AA Archive

President Joe Biden will announce he's putting the final 15 million barrels on the market from a record release of US strategic oil reserves, with more releases possible if energy prices spike, a senior US official has said.

The new tranche of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve will be "completing the 180 million barrel release authorised in the spring," in response to price hikes linked to Russia's offensive on Ukraine, the official said on Tuesday.

The order, which Biden will announce in a speech on Wednesday, means the president will be "making clear that the administration is prepared to undertake significant additional ... sales this winter if they are needed due to Russian or other actions disrupting global markets," the official added.

Biden will also say that the US government will restock the strategic reserve when oil prices are at or lower than $67 to $72 a barrel, an offer that administration officials argue will increase domestic production by guaranteeing a baseline level of demand even if prices fall.

READ MORE:Oil prices climb as US dollar ebbs

READ MORE: US to sell 10M barrels of oil from strategic reserves to tame rising prices

Democrats faring better

American Automobile Association reported that gas is averaging $3.87 a gallon, up from a month ago when falling prices at the pump suggested that the president and his fellow Democrats were faring better in surveys.

Biden has resisted the policies favoured by US oil producers.

Instead, he's sought to reduce prices by releasing oil from the US reserve, shaming oil companies for their profits and calling on greater production from countries in OPEC+ that have different geopolitical interests, said Frank Macchiarola, senior vice president of policy, economics and regulatory affairs at the American Petroleum Institute.

Biden seeks to move away from fossil fuels entirely with a commitment to zero emissions by 2050.

The prospective loss of 2 million barrels a day — 2 percent of global supply — has had the White House saying Saudi Arabia sided with Russian President Vladimir Putin and pledging there will be consequences for supply cuts that could prop up energy prices. 

The 15 million-barrel release would not cover even one full day’s use of oil in the US, according to the Energy Information Administration.

READ MORE:Saudi Arabia rejects framing OPEC+ oil cut decision as political

SOURCE:TRTWorld and agencies
Explore
How a court case could stop flow of US county funds into Israel’s war chest
Brad Lander secures key New York Democratic primary victory as Micah Lasher defeats Kennedy heir
US Supreme Court backs Trump administration in crucial green card case
US strike on an alleged drug boat kills 2, leaves 6 survivors, in the eastern Pacific Ocean
Why the US doesn't want to lose its grip on the Chagos Islands
US Air Force B-52 bomber crashes in California, killing all 8 on board
Trump celebrates 80th birthday with historic White House cage fight tournament
US House approves $70Bn immigration enforcement funding package
Trump team refuses BBC request for financial records in $10B defamation case: Report
Teen killed, three injured in shooting outside California graduation ceremony, authorities confirm
US warship fire in Middle East may have caused greater damage than Pentagon acknowledged: CNN
Democrats are favoured in 2026 midterms, but is a blue wave guaranteed? Not quite.
Trump inks bill to fund DHS agencies, ending its longest shutdown
Trump says Iran should not have nuclear weapons at state dinner with King Charles III
Former FBI chief Comey charged with threatening Trump's life
Florida governor proposes new US congressional map targeting opposition seats
Cole Tomas Allen charged with attempted Trump assassination
Another Democrat suspends campaign for California governor
US Representative Swalwell says will resign from Congress after sexual misconduct allegations
Tide turning? Americans’ views of Israel, Netanyahu grow negative