International Energy Agency: Countries Depleting Oil Reserves at Record Speed
The International Energy Agency (IEA) announced that countries are drawing down oil reserves and strategic stockpiles at a "record speed" due to "unprecedented" supply disruptions caused by the Middle East war. Global oil inventories decreased significantly in March and April, and the IEA warns of potential further oil price surges and risks of aviation fuel shortages during the summer travel peak.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 13, 2026 at 19:44
- 🔍 Collected: May 13, 2026 at 20:02 (17 min after Published)
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 13, 2026 at 22:39 (2h 37m after Collected)
Central News Agency (CNA) Paris, May 13 (Comprehensive foreign news report) The International Energy Agency (IEA) announced today that countries are drawing down oil reserves and strategic stockpiles at a "record speed" due to "unprecedented" supply disruptions caused by the Middle East war.
According to Agence France-Presse, the IEA pointed out that after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, global oil inventories decreased by 129 million barrels in March and further by 117 million barrels in April.
The IEA warned in its latest monthly report: "As supply disruptions continue, the rapid depletion of buffer stocks could signal further oil price surges in the future."
Iran's effective blockade of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz has hindered oil and natural gas exports from the Persian Gulf, pushing up oil and gas prices and forcing countries to seek alternative supply sources.
"The rate of emergency reserve releases accelerated in April, with more stockpiles to be released in the coming months," the IEA stated.
With the summer travel peak approaching in the Northern Hemisphere, concerns about energy shortages are growing. Airlines have warned that if supply disruptions continue, aviation fuel could be in short supply within weeks.
"Global oil inventories have fallen at a record pace, and oil price volatility is very likely to intensify further on the eve of the summer demand peak," the IEA noted. (Compiled by: Hung Pei-ying) 1150513
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.
According to Agence France-Presse, the IEA pointed out that after the US and Israel launched attacks on Iran, global oil inventories decreased by 129 million barrels in March and further by 117 million barrels in April.
The IEA warned in its latest monthly report: "As supply disruptions continue, the rapid depletion of buffer stocks could signal further oil price surges in the future."
Iran's effective blockade of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz has hindered oil and natural gas exports from the Persian Gulf, pushing up oil and gas prices and forcing countries to seek alternative supply sources.
"The rate of emergency reserve releases accelerated in April, with more stockpiles to be released in the coming months," the IEA stated.
With the summer travel peak approaching in the Northern Hemisphere, concerns about energy shortages are growing. Airlines have warned that if supply disruptions continue, aviation fuel could be in short supply within weeks.
"Global oil inventories have fallen at a record pace, and oil price volatility is very likely to intensify further on the eve of the summer demand peak," the IEA noted. (Compiled by: Hung Pei-ying) 1150513
Choose to stand with facts, every sponsorship you make is a force to protect press freedom.
Download the CNA "First-hand News" APP to stay updated with the latest news.
Text, images, and videos on this website may not be reproduced, publicly broadcast, or publicly transmitted and used without authorization.