A group of Democratic members of congress is calling on U.S. President Joe Biden to continue releasing additional U.S. strategic oil reserves at least through the end of this year, CNN reported.

“We call on your administration to commit to releasing additional barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserves (SPR) at least through the end of this year,” the network quoted eight Democrats as saying in a letter.

According to members of congress, average gas and oil prices in the U.S. are still above their 2021 levels. Therefore, lawmakers believe it is necessary to abandon the plan to stop releasing oil reserves next month.

Also, members of Congress urged Biden to use $121 million from the SPR fund to replenish reserves. The letter also voiced the administration’s proposal to agree to buy the country’s produced gas and oil.

Strategic oil reserve level

Earlier, the U.S. Energy Department reported that the strategic oil reserve level in the country decreased by 8.4 million barrels, or 1.9% – to 434.1 million barrels. The indicator is at its lowest since October 1984.

Earlier we reported that the National Iranian Oil Company increased its oil supply to 2.52 mln bpd in August.