The petroleum reserve is when supplies are very tight. That’s why it was created.
Supplies ain’t tight.
Geesh.
Part of the problem may be limited domestic refining capacity. There are reports that refineries are now in the process of switching from winter to summer gas blends. So increasing the crude oil input, from whatever source, isn’t going to do diddley.
The Strategic Petroleum Reserve may as well be renamed The Politician Arse Covering and Manipulation Reserve.