# Energy Department Authorizes Strategic Petroleum Reserve Exchange to Address Supply Disruptions Due to Hurricane

Date: 10 Oct 2026
Released by: U.S. Department of Energy

## MediaRelease.co Summary

The U.S. Department of Energy authorized an emergency exchange of up to 4 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to ease hurricane-related supply disruptions in the Gulf of America. ExxonMobil and BP America may each borrow up to 2 million barrels and must return the oil with additional premium barrels in 2027. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said the exchange will help keep refineries running and fuel supplies stable.

## Original release

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) authorized the emergency exchange to alleviate supply disruption due to inclement weather in the Gulf of America WASHINGTON— The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced the authorization of an emergency exchange of up to 4 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to address supply disruptions due to inclement weather in the Gulf of America. Under the terms of the exchanges, participating companies will return the borrowed crude oil with additional premium barrels in 2027, helping replenish and strengthen the SPR at no additional cost to taxpayers. “With this emergency exchange, the Energy Department is acting swiftly to help maintain refinery operations, limit disruptions to fuel supplies, and ensure American families and businesses continue to have access to affordable, reliable, and secure energy” said said U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright. “In addition to helping minimize supply disruptions, these emergency exchanges will also require Exxon and BP to return more barrels to the Reserve than are currently being withdrawn, saving taxpayers millions of dollars. Rest assured, the Trump Administration is committed to strengthening America’s energy security at every opportunity.” The Department has authorized exchanges of up to 2 million barrels each for ExxonMobil and BP America. ExxonMobil's exchange will accelerate deliveries of previously awarded SPR crude oil to address immediate supply needs. DOE will continue working with industry partners to support reliable fuel supplies and respond to hurricane-related disruptions. For more information about the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, visit energy.gov.

## Key details

- Issued by: U.S. Department of Energy
- Published: 10 Oct 2026
- Publisher country: United States
- Subject country/region: National (United States)
- Original source: https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-department-authorizes-strategic-petroleum-reserve-exchange-address-supply
- MediaRelease.co URL: https://mediarelease.co/us/mr01852-energy-department-authorizes-strategic-petroleum-reserve-10102026.html

Original source: https://www.energy.gov/articles/energy-department-authorizes-strategic-petroleum-reserve-exchange-address-supply
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