Replenishing the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
“This success can translate to a more transformative and permanent paradigm shift for US energy policy, but the DOE’s success paves a clear path to future successes.”
The SPR strategy being, “how long can the US hold out against a hostile Middle East?” The Saudis appear to favor trump over other US politicians. Maybe appeasing trump is easier than satisfying a real president focused on the nation they represent rather than himself and ego. In any case. the DOE has adapted its newly granted authority engaging in fixed price contracts to replenish the oil reserve. An earlier pilot acquisition failed to acquire any barrels due to too few bidders and high prices for the bids.
In other developments, Saudi Arabia is cutting oil production by an additional 1 million barrels per day (bpd) from July to counter macroeconomic depressed markets. This is Arabia Light Crude which the US has less refining capability. Even so, it will have an impact on the Global economy. Offsetting some of this is the United Arab Emirates (UAE) increasing output targets by 200,000 bpd to 3.22 million bpd reflecting its production capacity (more revenue).
Instantaneous gasoline prices at the pump are increasing.
DOE Announces 6 Million Barrels for Strategic Petroleum Reserve Replenishment, Department of Energy
The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Petroleum Reserves announced the awarding of contracts for the acquisition of 3 million barrels of U.S. produced crude oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR). These contracts follow the Request for Proposal that was announced on May 15, 2023 (link below). This furthers the Biden-Harris Administration’s three-part replenishment plan, DOE also announced a new Notice of Solicitation to purchase approximately 3.1 million additional barrels of crude oil to the Big Hill SPR site this September.
Today’s announcement advances the President’s replenishment strategy following his historic release from the SPR to address the significant global supply disruption caused by Putin’s war on Ukraine. Analysis from the Department of the Treasury indicates that SPR releases last year, along with coordinated releases from international partners, reduced gasoline prices by up to roughly 40 cents per gallon compared to what they would have been absent these drawdowns.
A total of 10 companies responded to the Request for Proposal submitting 30 proposals. This purchase has been fully subscribed, and the contracts were awarded to five companies. These 3 million barrels are being purchased for an average price of about $73 per barrel, lower than the average of about $95 per barrel that SPR crude was sold for in 2022, securing a good deal for taxpayers. The crude oil will be delivered to the Big Hill SPR storage site from August 1, 2023, to August 31, 2023.
The Administration’s three-part replenishment strategy includes: (1) Direct purchases with revenues from emergency sales; (2) Exchange returns that include a premium to volume delivered; and (3) Securing legislative solutions that avoid unnecessary sales unrelated to supply disruptions. DOE has already secured cancellation of 140 million barrels in congressionally mandated sales scheduled for Fiscal Years 2024 through 2027. This cancellation has led to significant progress toward replenishment.
New Solicitation for Additional 3 Million Barrels of Crude Oil to Refill the SPR
Today, the DOE also released another Notice of Solicitation to purchase approximately 3 million barrels of sour crude oil for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) at the Big Hill SPR site, with receipts scheduled for September 2023. Bids for this solicitation must be received by the DOE no later than 10:00 a.m. Central Time on June 20, 2023. Contracts will be awarded to successful offerors by June 30, 2023. This purchase is in continuation of the Biden-Harris Administration’s three-part replenishment plan and DOE will pursue additional repurchase opportunities this year as market conditions allow.
The SPR continues to be the world’s largest supply of emergency crude oil, and the federally owned oil stocks are stored in underground salt caverns at four sites in Texas and Louisiana. Through scheduled maintenance periods and the Life Extension 2 program, DOE continues to prioritize the operational integrity of the SPR to ensure that the SPR can continue to meet its mission as a critical energy security asset. The SPR has a long history of protecting the economy and American livelihoods in times of emergency oil shortages.
Celebrating the Administration’s SPR Acquisition, employamerica.org
Strategic Petroleum Reserve factsheet, energy.gov.
D.O.E. Announces Purchases for the SPR, Department of Energy, May 23.
“The Saudis appear to favor trump over other US politicians….”
[ This is incorrect. Saudi Arabia has clearly described the development strategy that will be taken by a group of Arab countries and that strategy is to use oil and gas revenue to fund domestic investment that will directly contribute to long term income streams beyond fossil energy income. Saudi Arabia is looking to China for a development guide or model.
Again, this has been clearly stated. ]
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/graph/?g=TPuq
August 4, 2014
Real per capita Gross Domestic Product for China and Saudi Arabia, 1977-2021
(Percent change)
https://fred.stlouisfed.org/graph/?g=TPuJ
August 4, 2014
Real per capita Gross Domestic Product for China and Saudi Arabia, 1977-2021
(Indexed to 1977)
Maybe appeasing Trump is easier than satisfying a real president focused on the nation they represent rather than himself and ego….
[ Good grief, Saudi Arabia is acting for what are considered the needs of Saudi Arabia and development is the critical need. ]
ltr:
You keep trying to interject China into this commentary. No where have I stated anything concerning China.
Whenever displeased or a dislike of what the US is doing, the Saudi’s have reacted with oil price increases. The only argument you could make to concern this point is the Saudi’s cut back oil production so as to allow other Middle East countries an opportunity to sell oil.
ltr:
I should not have to respond to your nonsense every time you wish to believe someone is picking on China. I am not and have not in the past. Also, what I have said is true.
Trumpian indeed. It’s not much, but I’m not having any problem not buying gasoline. Nor have I seen an appreciable increase in my electric bill, outside of the ongoing arm and legging, most of which has long been generated by what today we call ‘renewables’
It’s not like we haven’t dealt with these Kings of Oil before. Didn’t learn anything is moot
Any push to renewables is worthy of our support …
Ten Bears
Yes indeed on renewables. Thanks for the comment.