Information on Department of Energy's Management of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
Gao ID: EMD-79-49 March 22, 1979Answers are presented to a series of congressionally generated questions concerning the management of the strategic petroleum reserve program by the Department of Energy.
Prior review of the cost and feasibility of salt cavern storage raised questions concerning the need for better information to reduce risks and uncertainties regarding the suitability of specific caverns for storage. However, salt cavern storage of crude oil is a proven technology if used with proper procedures and the Federal Energy Administration determined that underground storage, both in salt caverns and mines, is best suited for reserve requirements.