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Oil Finds Higher Ground After U.S. Crude Inventories Fall
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The U.S. Energy Department's inventory release showed that crude stockpiles recorded a large weekly draw on the back of rising exports. On a further encouraging note, the report revealed that refined product inventories, gasoline and distillate, both fell from their week earlier levels against the backdrop of robust demand.
As a result, the front month West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures moved up 1.4% (or 98 cents) to end at $69.51 per barrel yesterday – the highest settlement in August.
Analysis of the EIA Data
Crude Oil: The federal government’s EIA report revealed that crude inventories fell by 2.6 million barrels for the week ending Aug 24, following a decrease of 5.8 million barrels in the previous week. The analysts surveyed by S&P Global Platts – the leading independent commodities and energy data provider – had expected crude stocks to go down some 1 million barrels.
Oil inventories have generally trended lower in a year and a half. In fact, stockpiles have shrunk in 49 of the last 73 weeks and are down more than 127 million barrels since April 2017. The gradual fall has helped the U.S. crude market shift from year-over-year storage surplus to a deficit. At 405.8 million barrels, current crude supplies are 11% below the year-ago figure though stocks are at the five-year average.
Higher exports led to the larger-than-expected stockpile draw with the world's biggest oil consumer even as domestic production stayed strong at 11 million barrels per day – the most since the EIA started maintaining weekly data in 1983.
In particular, output in the United States have climbed sharply on increased production from shale formations to remain over the 10 million barrels a day threshold since early February.
However, on a slightly bearish note, stocks at the Cushing terminal in Oklahoma – the key delivery hub for U.S. crude futures traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange – edged up 58,000 barrels to 24.3 million barrels.
The crude supply cover was down from 23 days in the previous week to 22.9 days. In the year-ago period, the supply cover was 26 days.
Gasoline: Gasoline supplies were down for the second time in three weeks as demand surged to highest on record. The 1.6 million barrels draw – significantly above the polled number of 160,000 barrels fall in supply level – took gasoline stockpiles down to 232.8 million barrels. Despite last week’s decline, the current stock of the most widely used petroleum product is still 1.3% above the year-earlier level and is 5% over the five-year range.
Distillate: Distillate fuel supplies (including diesel and heating oil) were down 837,000 barrels last week. Meanwhile, analysts expected the supply level to increase by 1.7 million barrels. The first weekly fall in more than a month could be attributed to an uptick in demand and lower production. At 130 million barrels, current supplies are 13% below the year-ago level and 8% lower than the five-year average.
Refinery Rates: Refinery utilization was down by 1.8% from the prior week to 96.3%.
About the Weekly Petroleum Status Report
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) Petroleum Status Report, containing data of the previous week ending Friday, outlines information regarding the weekly change in petroleum inventories held and produced by the U.S., both locally and abroad.
The report provides an overview of the level of reserves and their movements, thereby helping investors understand the demand/supply dynamics of petroleum products. It is an indicator of current oil prices and volatility that affect the businesses of the companies engaged in the oil and refining industry.
Helix Energy Solutions provides deepwater oilfield services in the Gulf of Mexico. In the last 60 days, three earnings estimates moved north, while none moved south for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has risen 19% in the same period.
Best Electric Car Stock? You'll Never Guess It.
Zacks Research has released a report that may shock many investors. One stock stands out as the best way to invest in the surge to electric cars. And it's not the one you may think!
Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium battery power is set to shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge. With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, revenues that were already at $31 billion in 2016 are expected to blast to over $67 billion by the end of 2022.
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Oil Finds Higher Ground After U.S. Crude Inventories Fall
The U.S. Energy Department's inventory release showed that crude stockpiles recorded a large weekly draw on the back of rising exports. On a further encouraging note, the report revealed that refined product inventories, gasoline and distillate, both fell from their week earlier levels against the backdrop of robust demand.
As a result, the front month West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures moved up 1.4% (or 98 cents) to end at $69.51 per barrel yesterday – the highest settlement in August.
Analysis of the EIA Data
Crude Oil: The federal government’s EIA report revealed that crude inventories fell by 2.6 million barrels for the week ending Aug 24, following a decrease of 5.8 million barrels in the previous week. The analysts surveyed by S&P Global Platts – the leading independent commodities and energy data provider – had expected crude stocks to go down some 1 million barrels.
Oil inventories have generally trended lower in a year and a half. In fact, stockpiles have shrunk in 49 of the last 73 weeks and are down more than 127 million barrels since April 2017. The gradual fall has helped the U.S. crude market shift from year-over-year storage surplus to a deficit. At 405.8 million barrels, current crude supplies are 11% below the year-ago figure though stocks are at the five-year average.
Higher exports led to the larger-than-expected stockpile draw with the world's biggest oil consumer even as domestic production stayed strong at 11 million barrels per day – the most since the EIA started maintaining weekly data in 1983.
In particular, output in the United States have climbed sharply on increased production from shale formations to remain over the 10 million barrels a day threshold since early February.
However, on a slightly bearish note, stocks at the Cushing terminal in Oklahoma – the key delivery hub for U.S. crude futures traded on the New York Mercantile Exchange – edged up 58,000 barrels to 24.3 million barrels.
The crude supply cover was down from 23 days in the previous week to 22.9 days. In the year-ago period, the supply cover was 26 days.
Gasoline: Gasoline supplies were down for the second time in three weeks as demand surged to highest on record. The 1.6 million barrels draw – significantly above the polled number of 160,000 barrels fall in supply level – took gasoline stockpiles down to 232.8 million barrels. Despite last week’s decline, the current stock of the most widely used petroleum product is still 1.3% above the year-earlier level and is 5% over the five-year range.
Distillate: Distillate fuel supplies (including diesel and heating oil) were down 837,000 barrels last week. Meanwhile, analysts expected the supply level to increase by 1.7 million barrels. The first weekly fall in more than a month could be attributed to an uptick in demand and lower production. At 130 million barrels, current supplies are 13% below the year-ago level and 8% lower than the five-year average.
Refinery Rates: Refinery utilization was down by 1.8% from the prior week to 96.3%.
About the Weekly Petroleum Status Report
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) Petroleum Status Report, containing data of the previous week ending Friday, outlines information regarding the weekly change in petroleum inventories held and produced by the U.S., both locally and abroad.
The report provides an overview of the level of reserves and their movements, thereby helping investors understand the demand/supply dynamics of petroleum products. It is an indicator of current oil prices and volatility that affect the businesses of the companies engaged in the oil and refining industry.
The data from EIA generally acts as a catalyst for crude prices and affect producers, such as ExxonMobil (XOM - Free Report) , Chevron (CVX - Free Report) and ConocoPhillips (COP - Free Report) , and refiners such as Valero Energy (VLO - Free Report) , Phillips 66 (PSX - Free Report) and Marathon Petroleum (MPC - Free Report) .
Want to Own an Energy Stock Now?
If you are looking for a near-term energy play, Helix Energy Solutions Group, Inc. (HLX - Free Report) may be an excellent selection. This company has a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.
Helix Energy Solutions provides deepwater oilfield services in the Gulf of Mexico. In the last 60 days, three earnings estimates moved north, while none moved south for the current year. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings has risen 19% in the same period.
Best Electric Car Stock? You'll Never Guess It.
Zacks Research has released a report that may shock many investors. One stock stands out as the best way to invest in the surge to electric cars. And it's not the one you may think!
Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium battery power is set to shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge. With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, revenues that were already at $31 billion in 2016 are expected to blast to over $67 billion by the end of 2022.
See Zacks Best EV Stock Free >>