If I remember correctly, the plan is to put more oil into the market to drive down the price for Europeans so they don't consider backing out on the sanctions against Russia. (Even though they're all avoiding those sanctions by buying Russian oil and coal via Turkey.) The SPR was created to provide a limited form of protection from OPEC price gouging but has always been a tool of feckless politicians. The Biden Junta is just the latest. I don't know that the military should be the one deciding when to draw on the reserve, but it certainly shouldn't be left to the President alone.