Strategic Petroleum Reserve Exchange Supports Fuel Supply

Editor’s Note: A version of this article was first published on the U.S. Department of Energy. 

Washington (July 11, 2025) — The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) today announced a SPR or strategic petroleum reserve exchange with ExxonMobil Corporation to address logistical challenges affecting crude oil deliveries to the company’s Baton Rouge refinery. U.S. Secretary of Energy Chris Wright authorized this action to help maintain stable regional supplies of transportation fuels across Louisiana and the broader Gulf Coast. This action preserves the SPR’s operational flexibility and will not impact or delay the department’s ongoing efforts to refill the reserve.

Under the exchange agreement, DOE will provide up to 1 million barrels of crude oil from the SPR. The exchange will support ExxonMobil’s restoration of refinery operations that were reduced due to an offshore supply disruption. ExxonMobil will return the borrowed crude along with additional barrels of crude oil for the SPR at no cost to the taxpayer.

The department remains in close coordination with industry partners to ensure stability in the fuel supply chain during the peak demand season. DOE continues to encourage refiners to prioritize efficient production and delivery of refined fuels, stands ready to support the nation’s energy security through the responsible use of strategic resources, and will continue to deliver on President Trump’s commitment to protect American energy security by refilling the SPR.

Background:

Sections 159 and 160 of the Energy Policy and Conservation Act (EPCA), 42 U.S.C.A. §§ 6239 and 6240, authorize the secretary of energy to exchange SPR petroleum products and to acquire petroleum products by exchange for storage in the SPR. The secretary of energy has previously exercised this legal authority to conduct emergency exchanges in response to supply disruptions, including Keystone Pipeline in 2022, and the Calcasieu Ship Channel closures in 2006 and 2000.

An oil supply disruption has led to reduced operations at the Baton Rouge refinery, limiting production of transportation fuels. The exchange is intended to ensure the maximum supply of refined fuel products in the Gulf Coast region while ExxonMobil resolves logistical challenges.