Release will be in addition to existing trade of crude from strategic reserves: Source. : India will release five million barrels of crude oil from its strategic petroleum reserves in a concerted effort to bring down global crude oil prices. This is roughly equivalent to one day consumption of the country. Sector watchers say that while the quantity of crude oil is not much, it is a symbolic gesture that has wider implications for the global energy markets. “India has agreed to release five million barrels of crude oil from its Strategic Petroleum Reserves.