According to a survey conducted by The Wall Street Journal, U.S. crude-oil inventories are predicted to have fallen last week, along with stocks of distillate fuels. However, gasoline stocks are expected to have increased for a fourth consecutive week.
Crude Stockpiles
- The average estimate of nine analysts and traders suggests a decrease of 1.4 million barrels in commercial crude stockpiles for the week ended Jan. 19.
- Seven experts anticipate a decline in stockpiles, while two predict an increase.
- Estimates range from a build of 2.4 million barrels to a drawdown of 4.1 million barrels.
Distillates
- Stocks of distillates, mostly diesel fuel, are projected to be down by 700,000 barrels to 134.1 million barrels.
- Forecasts range from a draw of 5.2 million barrels to a build of 2 million barrels.
- Gasoline inventories are expected to increase by 1.5 million barrels to 249.6 million barrels.
- Estimates range from an increase of 3.4 million barrels to a decline of 4.7 million barrels.
Refinery Capacity Use
- Refinery capacity use is forecasted to decrease by 0.6 percentage point to 92%.
- Estimates range from a 1.3 percentage-point decline to a 1 percentage-point increase.
- Two analysts did not provide a forecast.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration is scheduled to release the inventory data at 10:30 a.m. EST on Wednesday.
Crude | Gasoline | Distillates | Refinery Use ---|---|---|--- -1.4 | 2.2 | 1.1 | -1.1 -0.5 | 1.5 | 1.0 | -0.6 -3.2 | 2.2 | -1.2 | -0.8 2.4 | 3.4 | 1.8 | -1.2 1.1 | 1.7 | -3.6 | n/f -2.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 | -0.5 -3.0 | 2.0 | 2.0 | 1.0 -1.8 | 2.8 | -2.9 | -1.3 -4.1 | -4.7 | -5.2 | n/f AVERAGE | -1.4 | 1.5 | -0.7 | -0.6
Note: Numbers in millions of barrels, except for refinery use, which is in percentage points.
