U.S. refinery utilization rates showed a notable recovery in the latest Energy Information Administration (EIA) weekly data, with the current indicator rising 1.6% week-over-week as of 19 February 2026. This marks a sharp reversal from the previous reading, which recorded a 1.1% week-over-week decline.
The EIA’s comparison framework measures how refinery utilization changes from one week to the next. The “previous” figure of -1.1% reflected a pullback in activity compared with the week before it, while the current 1.6% reading indicates that refiners have now increased their run rates relative to last week’s levels.
The shift from contraction to expansion suggests a strengthening in operational activity at U.S. refineries over the latest reporting period. While the data do not specify underlying drivers, the week-over-week swing underscores a more robust near-term momentum in refinery throughput compared with the preceding week’s slowdown.
