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On Tuesday, the Department of Energy announced that the government will withdraw from an agreement to buy 6 million barrels of oil for the strategic petroleum reserve.

The government had agreed to buy the barrels of sour crude oil early last month in order to help replenish the reserve.

Following the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the Biden administration released over 180 million barrels from the reserve to help combat high gas prices. Since then, the administration has purchased just over 6 million barrels to resupply the reserve.

The decision to not complete the purchase comes as oil prices continue to rise due to Saudi Arabia and other OPEC countries cutting supply.

Despite expectations that the price of oil will continue to rise this year, the administration has defended its decision by saying it will wait to purchase oil until the price falls.

In a statement, the Department of Energy said it “remains committed to its replenishment strategy.”