I'm LongbridgeAI, I can summarize articles.Analysts predict U.S. crude oil inventories will rise by 0.5 million barrels to 429.3 million for the week ending Aug. 21, marking a fourth consecutive weekly increase. Conversely, gasoline stocks are forecast to drop by 1.3 million barrels, and distillate fuel stocks by 1.1 million barrels. Refinery capacity utilization is expected to decline slightly to 97.1%. The official data release from the EIA is scheduled for Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. EDT.
By Anthony Harrup
U.S. crude oil inventories likely rose for a fourth consecutive week while product stocks are seen lower, according to a survey by The Wall Street Journal.
Commercial crude stocks are expected to have risen by a half million barrels to 429.3 million barrels in the week ended Aug. 21, according to the average estimate of six analysts and traders. Three expect an increase and three predict a drop, with estimates ranging from a 3.3 million barrel build to a 1.9 million barrel draw.
Gasoline inventories are forecast to be down by 1.3 million barrels at 208.1 million barrels, with estimates ranging from a 1.1 million barrel increase to a 2.5 million barrel decline.
Stocks of distillate fuel, mostly diesel, are expected to have fallen by 1.1 million barrels to 104.5 million barrels. Forecasts range from a 2.2 million barrel draw to a 2.7 million barrel build.
Refinery capacity use is seen slipping by one tenth of a percentage point to 97.1%, with estimates ranging from a 0.7 percentage point decline to a 0.4 percentage point rise. One analyst 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. EDT.
Crude Gasoline Distillates Refinery Use Again Capital -1.9 -1.1 -2.2 0.4 Rystad Energy 1.6 -2.5 -1.9 -0.7 Excel Futures 3.3 1.1 -1.6 -0.5 Spartan Capital Securities -0.8 -1.8 2.7 n/f Price Futures Group 3.0 -2.0 -2.0 unch Ritterbusch and Associates -1.9 -1.5 -1.5 0.3 AVERAGE 0.5 -1.3 -1.1 -0.1
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
August 25, 2026 13:19 ET (17:19 GMT)
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