US crude oil inventories, excluding the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, decreased by 7.3 million bbl for the week ended Nov. 30, according to data from the US Energy Information Administration.
EIA released the Weekly Petroleum Status Report a day later than usual because of the closure of the federal government on Dec. 5 to observe the funeral of former US President George H.W. Bush.
At 443.2 million bbl, US crude oil inventories are about 6% above the 5-year average for this time of year, the report indicated.
EIA said total motor gasoline inventories increased by 1.7 million bbl and are about 4% above the 5-year range. Finished gasoline inventories decreased while blending components inventories increased last week. Distillate fuel inventories increased by 3.8 million bbl last week and are about 5% below the 5-year average for this time of year.
Propane-propylene inventories decreased by 1.3 million bbl last week and are about 3% below the 5-year average for this time of year, EIA said.
US refinery inputs averaged 17.5 million b/d for the week ended Nov. 30, about 66,000 b/d less than the previous week’s average. Refineries operated at 95.5% of capacity.
Gasoline production decreased, averaging 9.7 million b/d. Distillate fuel production increased, averaging 5.6 million b/d.
US crude oil imports averaged 7.2 million b/d, down by 943,000 b/d from the previous week. Over the last 4 weeks, crude oil imports averaged 7.6 million b/d, 0.3% more than the same period last year. Total motor gasoline imports averaged 189,000 b/d. Distillate fuel imports averaged 436,000 b/d.
