Katrina Empties 11 Million Barrels From the Reserve
CONFIRMED88% CONFIDENCEDOE dates the President's Finding of a Severe Energy[2][3] Supply Interruption to 2 September 2005; the White House fact sheet announcing the 30-million-barrel release is dated the next day.
Hurricane Katrina shut in about half of US domestic oil production and knocked out refineries and import terminals, so on 2 September 2005 President Bush found a severe energy supply interruption and ordered a sale. DOE offered 30 million barrels and sold 11 million; the first oil left Bryan Mound on 26 September.
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