EIA: China Led 2025 Global Oil Stocks With 1.4 Billion Bbl

SECAUCUS, NJ (DTN) — China continued to lead world oil inventories in 2025, with stockpiles climbing 1.1 million bpd to reach an estimated 1.4 billion bbl, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in an analysis published Monday (4/20).

The United States held the second largest volume of strategic oil last year, with 413 million bbl in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, while its commercial stocks totaled 411 million bbl, the EIA said. Total U.S. storage capacity was 714 million bbl.

Japan and OECD Europe maintained strategic reserves of 263 million bbl and 179 million bbl, respectively, while South Korea held 79 million bbl to round out the top five.

The EIA notes that while OECD stocks are primarily government-mandated for emergencies, China’s growth is driven by both strategic security and expanded commercial refinery storage.