EIA: US crude stockpiles increase 3.3 million bbl

US crude oil inventories, excluding the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, increased by 3.3 million bbl for the week ended Apr. 6, according to US Energy Information Administration data.

The latest estimate is 428.6 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 increased by 500,000 bbl but are in the upper half of the average range. Finished gasoline inventories increased while blending components inventories decreased last week. Distillate fuel inventories decreased by 1 million bbl last week and are in the lower half of the average range for this time of year.

Propane-propylene inventories fell by 400,000 bbl and remain in the lower half of the average range, EIA said.

US refinery inputs averaged more than 17 million b/d for the week ended Apr. 6, about 83,000 b/d higher than the previous week’s average. Refineries operated at 93.5% of capacity.

Gasoline production increased, averaging more than 10.2 million b/d. Distillate fuel production increased, averaging 5.3 million b/d.

US crude oil imports averaged 8.7 million b/d, up 752,000 b/d from the previous week. Over the last 4 weeks, crude oil imports averaged 7.9 million b/d, 1.5% less than the same period last year. Total motor gasoline imports averaged 655,000 b/d. Distillate fuel imports averaged 125,000 b/d.