Why can't Venezuela's heavy, high-sulfur crude be stored directly in the U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve?

Venezuela's popular crude grades—Merey-16 and Boscan—contain more sulfur than the SPR's maximum allowable limit of 1.99 mass percent and are denser than the light- or medium-density crudes currently held in the reserve; the U.S. Department of Energy has determined that heavy crude is incompatible with SPR caverns due to operational difficulties, higher storage costs, and reduced flexibility during supply crises.

What is the proposed solution for using Venezuelan oil to replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve?

Energy Secretary Chris Wright proposed a barrel-for-barrel swap: exchanging Venezuela's heavy, high-sulfur crude for light- or medium-density U.S. crude, which would circumvent quality incompatibility issues while enabling replenishment of the reserve with suitable oil.

Venezuela's Heavy Crude Could Be Swapped for American Oil to Fill Emergency Reserve, Wright Says

Sep 2, 2026

U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright proposed swapping Venezuelan heavy crude for lighter domestic oil to replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve amid critically low inventory levels. This move addresses quality incompatibilities and supply concerns following recent market-releasing efforts.

reuters

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