By Anthony Harrup


The decline in U.S. crude oil inventories likely extended for a ninth consecutive week, while further builds are seen in gasoline and distillate stocks, according to a survey by The Wall Street Journal.

Commercial crude stockpiles are seen falling by 500,000 barrels to 412.2 million barrels in the week ended Jan. 17, according to the average estimate of 10 analysts and traders. Five expect an increase in stocks and five predict a decline. Expectations range from a stock build of 2.1 million barrels to a withdrawal of 4.2 million barrels.

Gasoline inventories are seen rising by 1.9 million barrels to 245.5 million barrels in a 10th straight weekly build, with estimates ranging from a rise of 4.7 million barrels to a drop of 3 million barrels.

Stocks of distillate fuels, mostly diesel, are expected to have increased by 300,000 barrels to 132.3 million barrels. Forecasts range from an increase of 3.9 million barrels to a decline of 3 million barrels.

Refinery capacity use is estimated to have fallen by 1 percentage point to 90.7%, with predictions ranging from a decline of 0.7 percentage points to a decline of 2 percentage points. Two analysts didn't forecast refinery runs.

The inventory data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration is scheduled for release Thursday at noon ET.


 
                                   Crude  Gasoline Distillates Refinery Use 
   Again Capital                    -1.4      2.2      1.6      -0.7 
   Commodity Research Group          0.6      2.9     -0.6      -0.8 
   Confluence Investment Management  1.0      2.5      2.0      -2.0 
   Rystad Energy                    -4.2      2.2      0.6      -0.8 
   Excel Futures                    -2.4      4.7      3.9      -0.8 
   Spartan Capital Securities        2.1      1.3     -2.7       n/f 
   Mizuho                            2.0      1.0      1.0      -1.0 
   Price Futures Group              -3.0     -3.0     -3.0      -1.0 
   Ritterbusch and Associates        1.4      2.5     -2.0      -1.2 
   Tradition Energy                 -1.5      3.2      1.7       n/f 
 
   AVERAGE                          -0.5      1.9      0.3      -1.0 
 

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

01-22-25 1217ET