US crude inventories up 5.9 million barrels

Commercial crude oil inventories in the United States, which are not taking into account those in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, increased by 5.9 million barrels to 445.6 million barrels in the week ending August 4, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported on Wednesday.

US crude oil refinery inputs averaged 16.6 million barrels per day, up by 62,000 barrels per day from the average recorded the week prior. Refineries operated at 93.8% of their capacity, while gasoline production increased to an average of 9.9 million barrels per day.

Imports of crude oil into the US averaged 6.7 million barrels per day, 14,000 barrels per day more compared to the previous week. Total commercial petroleum inventories increased by 7.1 million barrels.