Canada Supplies 2/3 of US Crude Imports Amid Strategic Petroleum Reserve Drain

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve in the United States is being drained at an alarming rate. In March 2026, President Donald Trump authorized a 172-million-barrel release from the reserve as part of a broader effort to cool supply fears and reduce the risk of a price shock reaching drivers, airlines, truckers, and factories.

The drawdown has been dramatic, with the reserve falling to its lowest level since the early 1980s by July. This is not just a technical decision; it's a North American power story. The United States still leans heavily on Canadian crude, which supplied 63.4% of U.S. crude oil imports in 2025.

This dependence is not easily replaced. Many Midwest refineries are configured to process heavy sour crude, which requires more complex equipment than lighter crude. Switching to different supply sources can be technically difficult and financially painful.