By Anthony Harrup
U.S. crude oil inventories likely fell last week, reversing some of the previous week’s build while gasoline stocks are seen extending their monthlong decline, according to a survey by The Wall Street Journal.
Commercial crude oil stocks are expected to have fallen by 1.5 million barrels to 425.2 million barrels in the week ended Aug. 15, according to the average estimate of seven analysts and traders. Six expect a drop and one predicts a rise. Expectations range from a withdrawal of 3.6 million barrels to a build of 2 million barrels.
Gasoline inventories are expected to be down by 1.3 million barrels at 225 million barrels in a fifth straight weekly decline, with forecasts ranging from a 3.3 million barrel drop to a rise of 2 million barrels.
Stocks of distillate fuels, mostly diesel, are seen rising by 700,000 barrels to 114.4 million barrels. Forecasts range from a build of 3 million barrels to a draw of 1.6 million barrels.
Refinery capacity use likely fell by 0.4 of a percentage point to 96%, with estimates ranging from an increase of 1 percentage point to a decrease of 1.4 percentage points. Two analysts didn’t forecast refinery runs.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration is scheduled to release the inventory data on Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. ET.
Crude Gasoline Distillates Refinery Use
Commodity Research Group -0.7 -1.7 1.1 -1.0
Confluence Investment Management -1.0 -1.0 0.5 -0.9
Rystad Energy -3.6 -1.9 0.4 -1.4
Spartan Capital Securities -1.9 -3.1 1.4 n/f
Price Futures Group 2.0 2.0 3.0 1.0
Ritterbusch and Associates -2.6 -0.4 0.4 0.2
Tradition Energy -2.8 -3.3 -1.6 n/f
AVERAGE -1.5 -1.3 0.7 -0.4
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
08-19-25 1329ET