IEA announces the release of 400 million barrels of emergency oil reserves to the market

The International Energy Agency (IEA) announced today that it will provide 400 million barrels of oil from emergency reserves to the market. The IEA stated that the situation in the Middle East has brought “significant and rising risks” to the oil market. These stocks will come from the mandatory reserves of IEA member countries. According to regulations, each member country must hold reserves equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports from the previous year. The reserves can be in the form of crude oil, refined oil, or a combination of both. The IEA’s latest data shows that North America’s strategic reserves are primarily composed of crude oil, while European and Asian member countries hold both crude oil and refined oil. As of the end of 2025, the total amount of oil in the public reserves of IEA member countries is 1.25 billion barrels, accounting for about 30% of the total oil reserves of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). This is the sixth time the IEA has issued an emergency reserve release directive since its establishment in 1974.