Portugal's strategic fuel reserve covers 92 days of consumption: So what does this really mean?

While discussions on fuel prices and energy security continue, the Portuguese government clarified the size of the country's strategic fuel reserves.

According to the Minister of Environment and Energy, Maria da Graça Carvalho, Portugal's current reserves are at a level that can cover approximately 92 days of consumption.

This figure is above the legal minimum level.

However, it should not be interpreted as "92 days of fuel is available at gas stations in Portugal".

The figure announced by the government is 92 days

The adequacy of strategic reserves has been the subject of political debate in recent days.

The government had previously announced that stocks were above the 90-day legal safety level.

Minister Maria da Graça Carvalho gave a clearer figure and said that the reserves could cover 92 days of consumption.

The reserve is not all gasoline and diesel

Strategic oil reserves do not only consist of gasoline or diesel ready for use at stations.

Stocks may include crude oil and different petroleum products.

For this reason, the theoretical “92 days” is not the same as being able to provide all fuel to the consumer on the same day in case of emergency.

Crude oil must first be refined.

Logistics, storage and distribution capacity also affect actual availability.

Some of the reserves can be kept abroad

Another feature of Portugal's strategic reserve system is that all stocks are within the borders of the country. It doesn't have to be kept.

The government had previously announced that it planned to create new storage capacity in order to transport some crude oil stocks in France to Portugal.

For this purpose, an investment of approximately 60 million euros is on the agenda.

92 days does not mean "fuel will run out in 92 days"

Expressing the strategic reserve in terms of daily consumption is a security indicator created for the crisis scenario.

As long as normal commercial stocks, imports and refinery production continue, the country is not only using strategic reserves.

Therefore, the 92-day figure does not mean that Portugal will be without fuel after 92 days under normal conditions.

The main purpose is to buy time for the country in case of a serious interruption in international supply.

Resources

RTP — “Governo garante que Portugal tem reservas de combustíveis para 92 dias”, 25 September 2026

https://www.rtp.pt/noticias/economia/governo-garante-que-portugal-tem-reservas-de-combustiveis-para-92-dias_v1767702