Some industry analysts argue that the original intent of the reserve supply was to use it only during times of extreme crisis such as when the country is at war, and should not be used as a tool to lower oil prices. They argue that the market should take its natural course in stabilizing the price of oil. Earlier this month, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, which provides 16 percent of the nation's crude oil supply, agreed to increase its output by 800,000 barrels a day beginning Oct. 1. But most analysts agree the amount is not likely to help rebuild the crude oil inventory and lower prices any time soon. Those who advocate tapping into the SPR say a limited release of the nation's reserve would help lower oil prices and add to the diminishing supply.
Nobody wants to build inventories when they think the price is going to fall.
They're just waiting for that second shoe to drop right now. We just need to make that happen. As talk of using the reserve oil extended to Capitol Hill this week, Republican lawmakers placed the blame on the Clinton administration, saying it did not do enough to avoid an energy crisis. For a while, the administration did not have much to worry about, analysts say. Prices, however, began to creep upward in 1999.