By Anthony Harrup
U.S. crude oil inventories likely posted a small decline last week, with stocks of gasoline and diesel continuing to see withdrawals, according to a survey by The Wall Street Journal.
Commercial crude stocks are expected to have fallen by 100,000 barrels, to 465.6 million barrels, in the week ended April 24, according to the average estimate of eight analysts and traders. Three predict an increase and five expect a drop, with forecasts ranging from a 3 million barrel build to a 2 million barrel draw.
Gasoline inventories are seen extending their decline to 11 consecutive weeks, falling by 2.1 million barrels, to 226.3 million barrels. Estimates range from a decrease of 500,000 barrels to a drop of 3.8 million barrels.
Stocks of distillate fuel, mostly diesel, are forecast to be down by 1.8 million barrels, at 106.3 million barrels. Forecasts range from a 3.5 million barrel decline to a 2.6 million barrels rise.
Refinery capacity use likely rose by 0.4 of a percentage point, to 89.5%, according to the survey, with estimates ranging from a 1.6 percentage point increase to a 1 percentage point decline. One analyst didn't forecast refinery runs.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration is scheduled to release the inventory data on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. EDT.
Crude Gasoline Distillates Refinery Use
Again Capital -1.4 -1.6 -2.3 0.4
Confluence Investment Management 0.5 -1.5 -2.0 -0.2
Rystad Energy -0.9 -2.6 -1.0 0.4
Excel Futures 2.3 -3.8 -3.5 1.6
Spartan Capital Securities -1.7 -1.0 2.6 n/f
Mizuho -2.0 -3.0 -2.0 1.0
Price Futures Group 3.0 -3.0 -3.0 -1.0
Ritterbusch and Associates -0.8 -0.5 -3.2 0.3
AVERAGE -0.1 -2.1 -1.8 0.4
Note: Numbers in millions of barrels, with the exception of refinery use, which is in percentage points.
n/f = no forecast
unch = unchanged
Write to Anthony Harrup at anthony.harrup@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
04-28-26 1246ET
