Summary: The G7 nations have expressed support for a coordinated release of strategic oil reserves to address surging prices caused by disruptions from the US-Israel war with Iran. The International Energy Agency (IEA) is reportedly preparing its largest-ever market intervention, potentially releasing 300-400 million barrels, though analysts note this would only cover a few days of global supply and is a short-term measure. The release involves making existing commercial stocks available to refineries, not a physical flood of new oil, and depletes reserves that cannot be immediately replenished.
Main Topics Covered:
1. The G7's support for releasing strategic oil reserves to curb high prices.
2. The market disruption and supply slump caused by conflict in the Middle East, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.
3. The scale and limitations of the proposed IEA intervention.
4. The mechanics and constraints of using strategic oil reserves.
G7 welcomes potential record release of oil reserves in bid to curb soaring prices
G7 nations have said they would support the collective release of oil from their reserves to tackle soaring prices since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran.
The group of countries has been meeting with the International Energy Agency (IEA), which is reported to be readying its biggest ever intervention in the oil market on Wednesday afternoon.
The conflict has caused oil exports through the vital Strait of Hormuz - which carries a fifth of global oil supplies - to virtually stop and production in the region to slump.
Prices have jumped since the conflict started but stabilised following reports that oil could be released from countries' stockpiles though some experts say the move would only be a short-term solution.
According to reports, the IEA could release 300 to 400 million barrels of oil — more than double the amount it released following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022.
However, the reported figure would only amount to around three or four days' worth of global supply or roughly a fortnight's worth of what would normally be shipped out of the Strait of Hormuz.
Following a meeting with the IEA on Wednesday, G7 energy ministers said: "In principle, we support the implementation of proactive measures to address the situation, including the use of strategic reserves."
All IEA member countries are required to keep 90 days' worth of their nation's oil use in reserve in case of global disruption.
The oil itself is not in a single place. For example, producers like Shell and BP keep stocks at terminals and refineries around the UK and can earmark stocks held elsewhere as counting towards their reserves.
When it is released, it does not mean a sudden flood of new oil starts moving.
Instead, producers will make more available in the market for refineries to order, though energy analysts have told the BBC that there is a shortage of refining capacity.
The other issue with releasing reserves is that it is not something you can do again.
"Once you release them, they don't exist," Nick Butler, former head of strategy at BP, told the BBC.
Meridiano
