Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR)

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) is a national stockpile of emergency crude oil maintained by the U.S. government. It is stored in underground salt caverns along the Gulf Coast and used as a backup to ensure energy security during significant disruptions to oil supply, such as natural disasters or geopolitical conflicts. The SPR allows the government to release oil into the market to help stabilize prices and supply when needed, providing a strategic buffer to protect the economy and consumers from sudden shortages or price spikes.