U.S. crude oil inventories declined last week, while distillate and gasoline inventories are likely to increase, according to a Reuters survey. The five analysts surveyed estimated, on average, that in the week ending December 26, U.S. crude oil inventories were reduced by about 900,000 barrels. Analysts estimate that distillate stocks, including diesel and heating oil, are expected to increase by about 2.2 million barrels last week, and gasoline inventories increased by about 1.9 million barrels. According to the survey, the refinery capacity utilization rate is estimated to have dropped 0.6 percentage points from 94.6% in the previous week. The Reuters investigation was carried out before the American Petroleum Institute and the US Energy Information Administration inventory reports were released. Market sources on Tuesday quoted API data as saying that in the week ending December 26, crude oil inventories increased by 1.7 million barrels, gasoline inventories increased 6.2 million barrels, and distillate stocks increased by 1 million barrels.

U.S. crude oil inventories declined last week, while distillate and gasoline inventories are likely to increase, according to a Reuters survey. The five analysts surveyed estimated, on average, that in the week ending December 26, U.S. crude oil inventories were reduced by about 900,000 barrels. Analysts estimate that distillate stocks, including diesel and heating oil, are expected to increase by about 2.2 million barrels last week, and gasoline inventories increased by about 1.9 million barrels. According to the survey, the refinery capacity utilization rate is estimated to have dropped 0.6 percentage points from 94.6% in the previous week. The Reuters investigation was carried out before the American Petroleum Institute and the US Energy Information Administration inventory reports were released. Market sources on Tuesday quoted API data as saying that in the week ending December 26, crude oil inventories increased by 1.7 million barrels, gasoline inventories increased 6.2 million barrels, and distillate stocks increased by 1 million barrels.