The U.S. Energy
Information Administration (EIA) revealed on Wednesday that crude inventories decreased
by 0.994 million barrels in the week ended January 29. Economists had forecast
a build of 0.446 million barrels.
At the same
time, gasoline stocks surged by 4.466 million barrels, while analysts had
expected an increase of 1.134 million barrels. Distillate stocks edged down 0.009
million barrels, while analysts had forecast a draw of 0.429 million barrels.
Meanwhile, oil
production in the U.S. remained unchanged at 10.900 million barrels a day.
U.S. crude oil
imports averaged 6.5 million barrels per day last week, increased by 1.4
million barrels per day from the previous week.