WASHINGTON, Sept. 2 (Xinhuanet) -- The US government is expected to release 2 million barrels a day of rude oil from its strategic petroleum reserves (SPR) in conjunction with other oil consuming nations, according to an AP report on Friday.

    A decision was expected to be announced by the Paris-based International Energy Agency later Friday about the coordinated release of crude and refined products by agency members, said a Bush administration source speaking on condition of anonymity because of the discussions on procedures for the release were still under way.

    The action is taken to counter supply disruptions caused by Hurricane Katrina in some areas of the United States. Enditem