No request for US oil reserve yet - energy dept

02 September 2008 18:47  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS news)--The US Department of Energy (DoE) has received no requests for oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) despite reports that two energy companies may seek withdrawals, the department said on Tuesday.

Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal said that ExxonMobil and Shell would ask for crude oil from the SPR, according to news reports.

“These (oil) companies know the drill,” said Alyson Austin, DoE deputy director of public affairs.

Austin said some oil refiners in the US Gulf were still probably assessing operations in the aftermath of Hurricane Gustav.

Austin said companies must put in a formal request for oil first, then US Energy Secretary Samuel Bodman reviews at the request and negotiations begin.

 “We have to ability to release it,” Austin added. “The request does not have to go to the governor.”

ExxonMobil and Shell were not immediately available for comment.

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By: Brian Balboa
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