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US could boost rate of replenishing oil reserve, Energy Secretary Granholm states

The U.S. might quicken the rate of renewing the Strategic Petroleum Reserve as maintenance on the stockpile is finished by the end of the year, Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm informed on Tuesday.

Granholm said she believes the global oil market is well-stocked which she does not anticipate a big increase in oil and gas costs in the next short while.

The Energy Department this year has actually been buying about 3 million barrels of oil each month for the Strategic Petroleum Reserve after offering 180 million barrels in 2022 following Russia's intrusion of Ukraine.

The sale, the largest ever from the SPR, was meant to control gasoline rates after the intrusion. However it sank levels in the reserve to the most affordable in 40 years, leading to criticism from Republicans that it left the U.S. emergency situation oil buffer too thin.

It could pick up more than that, Granholm told in an interview in Washington, about the 3 million barrel each month rate. She stated that a number of the SPR's four sites on the coasts of Texas and Louisiana have actually been in maintenance.

All four websites will be back up by the end of the year, so one could imagine that pace would pick up, depending upon the market, she stated.

The U.S. has bought back about 38.6 million barrels and canceled congressionally mandated sales of 140 million barrels through 2027. The administration has said it wants to keep purchasing oil as long as the cost stays listed below $80 a barrel .

We wish to continue to benefit from the market when it is right for the taxpayers, Granholm said.

(source: Reuters)