US crude oil inventories increased by 0.095 million barrels to 428.9 million barrels in the week ended August 21, falling short of expectations for a 0.6 million-barrel build. Stocks at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery hub rose by 1.176 million barrels over the same period. Refinery crude runs declined by 2,000 barrels per day.
Gasoline inventories dropped by 2.536 million barrels to 206.8 million barrels, a larger-than-expected draw compared with forecasts for a 0.7 million-barrel decrease. Distillate stockpiles—which include diesel and heating oil—fell by 2.228 million barrels to 103.4 million barrels, exceeding expectations for a 1.6 million-barrel decline. Net US crude imports decreased by 161,000 barrels per day.
