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CERAWEEK-US intends to return emergency oil reserve to previous levels by year-end

U.S. crude oil stockpiles in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) at yearend will be at or going beyond the level prior to a massive 180 million barrel sale 2 years earlier, U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm stated on Monday.

The U.S. is renewing the SPR, after President Joe Biden's administration revealed a sale of 180 million barrels of oil over 6 months from the reserve, the biggest ever SPR sale, in an attempt to lower gasoline prices after Russia invaded Ukraine.

While the Department of Energy just anticipates to renew by completion of this year about 40 million barrels given that the 180 million sale, another 140 million barrels that would have been drained from 2024-2027 will stay in the SPR due to the cancellation in 2022 of congressionally mandated sales.

The department declined to offer a final variety of stocks expected to be in the reserve at the end of the year.

The reserve currently holds about 362 million barrels. Stocks in the reserve stood at 565 million barrels before the announcement of the sale in March 2022.

Other congressionally mandated sales may also be canceled, Granholm stated at the CERAWeek energy conference in Houston.

Having the SPR filled up is a congressional priority and that's a discussion we'll be having with them, Granholm stated.

Conclusion of upkeep at one SPR storage website will permit the U.S. to buy more oil, Granholm said.

Energy officials are keeping track of the rise in U.S. oil costs and its impact on renewing the reserve, Granholm stated. The Department of Energy had actually intended to redeem the oil under $79 a. barrel. U.S. unrefined futures were trading above $82 on. Monday.

She likewise stated the Biden administration's melted natural. gas allowing time out will be long behind us by this time next. year.

She did not state when the export authorizations could resume,. but ruled out quotes of a 10- to 14-month delay, calling the. time out short-lived and for research study purposes just.

The LNG time out need to not be affecting major decisions. globally, because it is just a temporary pause, the secretary. stated, when asked about concerns of greater coal buying in Asia.

The $60 a barrel price cap on Russian oil imposed by the. U.S. and G7 allies was effective, Granholm stated, adding the U.S. would continue to examine appropriate rate levels as. situations alter.

The price cap enforced in December 2022 by the Group of 7. countries, the European Union and Australia prohibits using. Western maritime services such as insurance, flagging and. When tankers bring Russian oil priced at or above, transportation. $ 60.

(source: Reuters)