The Standing Group on Emergency Questions (SEQ) is responsible for all aspects of IEA oil semergency preparedness.

In co-ordination with the IEA Oil Markets and Statistics Divisions and other IEA Standing Groups and Committees, the SEQ examines oil security issues including global supply/demand prospects, production capacity and refinery flexibility and holds seminars, conferences and workshops on oil security issues.

The SEQ periodically tests and updates the IEA emergency response mechanisms which were set up under the 1974 Agreement on an International Energy Program (IEP). The Agreement includes the commitment of member countries to hold oil stocks equivalent to 90 days of net imports in the previous year. The planning and execution of the work of the SEQ is carried out by the staff of the Emergency Planning and Preparations Division of the IEA Secretariat.

Training and testing involves personnel from member countries, the oil industry and the Secretariat. The SEQ works closely with the international oil industry, notably through an Industry Advisory Board (IAB) composed of senior supply, refining and transport experts from oil companies operating in IEA countries. During an emergency or test, an ad hoc group of the IAB, the Industry Supply Advisory Group, participates in a combined Secretariat/Industry emergency operations team.

To implement IEP measures, which apply only in disruptions exceeding 7% of IEA or individual country supplies, the IEA also has a complementary set of measures known as Co-ordinated Emergency Response Measures (CERM). These provide a rapid and flexible system of response to actual or imminent oil supply disruptions of any size. At the time of the Gulf Crisis, the IEA implemented a 2.5 million barrels a day contingency plan, most of which was stockdraw. In response to the disruption in oil supplies in the Gulf of Mexico caused by Hurricane Katrina and Rita in 2005, the IEA implemented a collective action which consisted of making 2 mb/d of crude and products available to the market for a period of 30 days.

To ensure the potential of the IEA countries for rapid, and effective response to oil emergencies in changing oil market conditions, the SEQ conducts a regular cycle of Emergency Response Reviews of IEA member countries.

Industry Advisory Board (IAB)

This group is composed of senior supply, refining and transport experts from oil companies operating in IEA countries. During an emergency or test, the IAB participate in a combined Secretariat/Industry emergency operations team.