Is IEA Oil Release a Stimulus Measure for Consumers?

The International Energy Agency’s planned release of oil from reserves is being used as an economic stimulus measure that will serve as a “tax cut” for consumers if it’s successful in driving down prices, according to a report today from IHS-Cambridge Energy Research Associates.

The release from emergency stockpiles of 60 million barrels of oil, or 2 million barrels a day for 30 days beginning next week, follows a disruption in supplies from Libya and could boost both consumer spending power and confidence, according to IHS-CERA’s Daniel Yergin and James Burkhard.

“Although oil prices have come down since Brent reached $126 per barrel in April, worries about the potential for another economic slowdown have grown,” the report said. “The oil release signals that IEA members are taking into account the broader macroeconomic environment to decide on using strategic reserves.”

Oil for August delivery declined 25 cents to $90.77 a barrel at 2:04 p.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. Prices have fallen 2.8 percent this week and gained 19 percent in the past year.