Question: I don't know much about US oil, but hasn't Trump been bragging endlessly about being oil independent? If so, why is this a story?
But what the US produces is not necessarily what the US consumes.
Oil markets are global and there is tons of trading going on, so it's not really at all a "fully in house" operation.
Releasing barrels lowers the price but it's obviously only a temporary measure.
I think it's a story as the cease fire with Iran is about to run out
Therefore USA is not oil independent, despite being a net exporter.