On Friday, the U.S. Department of Energy announced that it had loaned 26.03 million barrels of crude from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to nine oil companies. The move is the third allotment under the Trump administration’s effort to curb fuel prices that have surged since the U.S.–Israeli war on Iran. Context The administration agreed in March to release 172 million barrels from the SPR in a coordinated move with the International Energy Agency, aiming to draw down 400 million barrels to control fuel prices that spiked due to the war. Key Data So far, the U.S. has offered 126 million barrels in three batches in the form of loans from the SPR, with energy companies required to pay back the crude with extra barrels as interest. Energy companies have signed deals to borrow nearly 80 million barrels, or more than 63 % of what the administration offered. Companies awarded the SPR loans in the third batch include BP Products North America , ExxonMobil Oil Corp and Marathon Petroleum , the DOE said. Outlook The loan program is expected to provide a short‑term buffer that helps stabilize supply and support price stability in the face of ongoing market volatility. Companies will repay the crude with additional barrels, ensuring the reserve remains available for future contingencies.