US Strategic Petroleum Reserve nears level risking damage to storage caverns
The rapid drawdown of the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve could damage the underground salt caverns that store the oil, experts warn. The reserve is approaching a level that raises operational and structural concerns after years of steady withdrawals.
Years of drawdowns from the US Department of Energy's strategic reserve have pushed storage levels toward a threshold that threatens the underground salt caverns in Texas and Louisiana where the oil is held. Energy experts say cavern walls can suffer structural damage when fill levels drop too low for extended periods.
The reserve has been tapped repeatedly in recent years, both to steady markets and to offset supply disruptions during geopolitical tensions. But persistently low levels could make it harder to refill or draw down the caverns quickly in a future emergency.
Experts say periods of lower oil prices should be treated as opportunities to rebuild the reserve. The Department of Energy said it is evaluating refill plans aimed at preserving the caverns' structural integrity going forward.
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