[U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve Drops to Lowest Level Since 1983] According to a report by Jinse Finance, on July 7, data from the U.S. Department of Energy showed that the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) crude oil inventory decreased by approximately 6.2 million barrels last week, dropping to 319.5 million barrels, the lowest level since April 1983. This inventory decline is part of the U.S.'s previously announced plan to release a total of 172 million barrels of crude oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.