washington u.s. government slat sell 375 million worth crude oil country emergency reserve winter congress pass temporary spend bill friday contain measure authorize sale president barack obama administration push congress approve billion plan revamp strategic petroleum reserve string heavily guard underground salt cavern along gulf mexico fill crude stash currently hold 695 million barrel oil department energy spokeswoman say authorization spend bill allow department take necessary step increase integrity extend life reserve congress pass original fund reserve 1973 1974 arab oil embargo protect country global supply disruptions potential spike domestic fuel price damage u.s. economy many reserve steel tank pump rust decades whip storm expose salt air plan submit congress energy department september say equipment today near beyond end design life addition u.s. oil boom last decade reverse direction many pipelines away reserve make difficult get oil market hurry 375 million sale nearly 7.3 million barrel oil today price first plan installment next three fiscal years congress would approve annual sales reach billion revamp plan remain see whether president-elect donald trump would urge congress annual authorizations come years sale could take place seven nine weeks temporary spend bill enact would pay design revamp spr pre-construction cost sales would pay construction new equipment new marine terminals allow reserve great capacity ship oil vessels u.s. slat sell 375 million emergency reserve oil winter