EIA: US crude stockpiles fall 4.6 million bbl
US crude oil inventories, excluding the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, fell for the week ended Mar. 30, according to US Energy Information Administration data. Inventories decreased by 4.6 million bbl, EIA said.
The latest estimate is 425.3 million bbl, putting oil in storage in the lower half of the average range for this time of year, the Weekly Petroleum Status Report indicated.
The report said total motor gasoline inventories decreased by 1.1 million bbl but are in the upper half of the average range. Both finished gasoline inventories and blending components inventories decreased last week. Distillate fuel inventories increased by 500,000 bbl last week but are in the lower half of the average range for this time of year.
Propane-propylene remain in the lower half of the average range despite an increase of 600,000 bbl last week, EIA said.
US refinery inputs averaged 16.9 million b/d for the week ended Mar. 30, 141,000 b/d higher than the previous week’s average. Refineries operated at 93% of capacity.
Gasoline production decreased, averaging over 10.1 million b/d. Distillate fuel production increased, averaging 5 million b/d.
US crude oil imports averaged 7.9 million b/d, down 250,000 b/d from the previous week. Over the last 4 weeks, crude oil imports averaged 7.7 million b/d, 3.4% less than the same period last year. Total motor gasoline imports averaged 761,000 b/d. Distillate fuel imports averaged 99,000 b/d.
