The U.S. Energy
Information Administration (EIA) revealed on Wednesday that crude inventories plunged
by 9.910 million barrels in the week ended January 22. Economists had forecast
a build of 0.430 million barrels.
At the same
time, gasoline stocks rose by 2.469 million barrels, while analysts had
expected an advance of 1.764 million barrels. Distillate stocks dropped by 0.815
million barrels, while analysts had forecast a decrease of 0.361 million
barrels.
Meanwhile, oil
production in the U.S. reduced by 100,000 barrels a day to 10.900 million
barrels a day.
U.S. crude oil
imports averaged 5.1 million barrels per day last week, decreased by 1.0
million barrels per day from the previous week.