    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2001, Book II)]
    [November 13, 2001]
    [Page 1406]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Statement on the Strategic Petroleum Reserve
    November 13, 2001

        The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) is an important element of our
    Nation's energy security. To maximize long-term protection against oil
    supply disruptions, I am directing today the Secretary of Energy to fill
    the SPR up to its 700 million barrel capacity.
        The SPR will be filled in a deliberate and cost-effective manner.
    This will be done principally through royalty-in-kind transfers to be
    implemented by the Department of Energy and the Department of the
    Interior.
        Our current oil inventories, and those of our allies who hold
    strategic stocks, are sufficient to meet any potential near-term
    disruption in supplies. Filling the SPR up to capacity will strengthen
    the long-term energy security of the United States.

                                                              George W. Bush

    Note: An original was not available for verification of the content of
    this statement.