Will Trump fill the SPR

[dan_s]

Why filling the Strategic Petroleum Reserve could be the secret to success of Trump’s Middle East visit

So, what’s the solution? Using increased OPEC volumes to fill the depleted U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR), says Mukesh Sahdev, global head of oil commodity markets for consulting form Rystad Energy.

The idea is that using Middle Eastern crude oil to fill the Texas and Louisiana salt caverns that comprise the SPR would help the Saudis and the rest of OPEC without dragging already weak oil prices much lower. That's because the barrels would be kept out of commercial marketplaces and have a limited impact on worldwide supply and demand.

“I know this has not been talked much about in his visit, but I can clearly see a strategic play," Sahdev told Fortune. "OPEC will increase production, and that increased production could be bought by the U.S. to fill the SPR and be ready for the summer.”