WTI crude oil futures pared back from this morning’s over 1% losses and into positive territory following the weekly inventory report that showed a surprise draw in crude oil stocks. The report also showed a build in gasoline stocks that was expected and a substantial build in distillate stocks despite refiners pulling back on output.
HIGHLIGHTS:
Refineries slowing their throughput.
As the effects of Tropical Hermine pass, Crude imports saw a big jump last week, rising by nearly 1 million b/d.
US crude production is bottoming out.
See last weeks report ( here).
SUMMARY:
U.S. crude oil refinery inputs averaged over 16.7 million barrels per day during the week ending September 9, 2016, 200,000 barrels per day less than the previous week’s average. Refineries operated at 92.9% of their operable capacity last week. Gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.9 million barrels per day. Distillate fuel production decreased last week, averaging over 4.9 million barrels per day.
U.S. crude oil imports averaged about 8.1 million barrels per day last week, up by 993,000 barrels per day from the previous week. Over the last four weeks, crude oil imports averaged 8.2 million barrels per day, 10.1% above the same four-week period last year. Total motor gasoline imports (including both finished gasoline and gasoline blending components) last week averaged 650,000 barrels per day. Distillate fuel imports averaged 140,000 barrels per day last week.
U.S. commercial crude oil inventories (excluding those in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve) decreased by 0.6 million barrels from the previous week. At 510.8 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are at historically high levels for this time of year. Total motor gasoline inventories increased by 0.6 million barrels last week, and are well above the upper limit of the average range. Finished gasoline inventories decreased while blending components inventories increased last week. Distillate fuel inventories increased by 4.6 million barrels last week and are above the upper limit of the average range for this time of year. Propane/propylene inventories rose 2.0 million barrels last week and are above the upper limit of the average range. Total commercial petroleum inventories increased by 6.0 million barrels last week.
Total products supplied over the last four-week period averaged 20.6 million barrels per day, up by 5.7% from the same period last year. Over the last four weeks, motor gasoline product supplied averaged over 9.5 million barrels per day, up by 4.2% from the same period last year. Distillate fuel product supplied averaged over 3.6 million barrels per day over the last four weeks, up by 1.3% from the same period last year. Jet fuel product supplied is up 2.7% compared to the same four-week period last year.
Complete report ( here )