4 million barrels were loaned to oil companies that will be...

4 million barrels were loaned to oil companies that will be returned in February.
There is also a reason for the holding off filling the reserves.

There are concerns about the state of the country’s oil infrastructure and the implications for the SPR. A 2016 review by the Department of Energy warned that aging surface infrastructure, including storage tanks and pumps, will begin to compromise the SPR’s capabilities. Also, record U.S. energy production in each of the past eight years, and the resulting congestion in pipelines, could leave the SPR unable to effectively deliver oil without shutting off domestic suppliers, the department said. In November 2022, Biden asked Congress for $500 million to modernize the SPR, though Congress is yet to approve the funding.

Site-Specific Modifications
Bayou Choctaw
Based on the review of the CXs and the EA performed for the site during the subject
timeframe, the following changes have been approved and may or may not have been
completed at BC.
Operational and Engineering Modifications:
• Improve Off-site Bridge to Cavern 102
• Install Packaged Central HVAC Units for Building 423
• Site Road Access to BC Caverns 19, 101, 102 and Bailey Bridge
• Upgrade ADAS System Servers and Workstations
• Upgrade and Automate Brine Disposal Well Valves and Flow Meters
• Upgrade Brine Disposal Well MCC & MCC Electrical Service
• Degas Plant
• Replace & Relocate High-Speed Barriers
• Modify pond with cover inlet screens to booster pumps and eliminate the
freshwater source
• Correct Relief Valve Vibration Failures on MOV-03 Valves
• Replacement of Building 413
• Upgrades to AFFF System
Capacity
No changes in capacity were considered during the last five years.


Big Hill
Based on the review of the CXs and the EA performed for the site during the subject
timeframe, the following changes have been approved and may or may not have been
completed at BH.
Operational and Engineering Modifications:
• BH Anhydrite Pond Closure
• Increase Supply Volume to Seal Flush Tank BHT-9
• Plug body Drains on Underground Gate Valves
• Security Bldg. 815 Drainage Improvement
• Reconfigure RWIS Recycle Line
• Upgrade PIG Launcher Equipment at BH & Sun Terminal
• Remote Control for Pipeline Valve BH-3
• Site Building Upgrades, Phase 2
• Upgrade ADAS System Server and Workstations
• Lighting Upgrades at BH
• RWIS Infrastructure Upgrades at BH
• Upgrade of 34.5kV Relaying in Main Substation Relay Building
• BH Simultaneous Distribution to Chevron/Unocal, Shell, and Sun
• Correct Relief Valve Vibration Failures on MOV-03 Valves
Capacity
No changes in capacity were considered during the last five years.

Bryan Mound
Based on the review of the CXs and the EAs performed for the site during the subject
timeframe, the following changes have been approved and may or may not have been
completed at BM.
Operational and Engineering Modifications:
• Modify BMT-3 Roof Drain System
• Convert BMT-2 to an External Floating Roof Tank
• BM Wellhead 5C Cellar Demolition
• Upgrade ADAS System Server and Workstation
• Convert BMT-4 to an External Floating Roof Tank
• Emergency Response Boom Deployment Boat Dock at Blue Lake
• Upgrade Wood to Steel Lighting Poles
• RWIS Infrastructure Upgrades
• RWIS Channel Upgrades to Prevent Silt Buildup
• Plug Body Drains on Underground Gate Valves
• Correct Relief Valve Vibration Failures on MOV-03 Valves
Capacity
No changes in capacity were considered during the last five years.

West Hackberry
Based on the review of the CXs and the EAs performed for the site during the timeframe,
the following changes have been approved and may or may not have been completed at
WH.
Operational and Engineering Modifications:
• Site Building Upgrades (Phase 3) (E2P2)
• Correct Relief Valve Vibration Failures on MOV-03 Valves
• Pipe Cavern WH-105 to the Sour Header
• Improve Launcher/Receiver Vent and Drain System
• Lighting Upgrades at West Hackberry
• Upgrade ADAS System Servers and Workstations
• Enhance Access to Remote Pipeline Valve Stations
• Replace and Relocate High-Speed Barriers
• RWIS Infrastructure Upgrades at WH
• Redundant Power Feed to RWIS from Ellender Substation
• Marine Service Center
• Recomplete/Replace Brine Disposal Wells
• Brine Disposal Pipeline Replacement
• Plug body Drains on Underground Gate Valves
Capacity
No changes in capacity were considered during the last five years.
Assessment of the current operations and engineering characteristics and capacity
indicate that the configuration and inventory remain within the scope of impacts and
capacity addressed in the original site-wide, programmatic and supplemental EISs or sitespecific EAs, and subsequent RONR such as CXs.