By Anthony Harrup
U.S. crude-oil inventories likely rose for a fifth consecutive week, while further draws are expected for gasoline and distillate fuel stocks, according to a survey by The Wall Street Journal.
Commercial crude stockpiles are seen rising by 1.5 million barrels to 444.5 million barrels in the week ended Feb. 23, according to the average estimate of nine analysts and traders. Six expect an increase and three predict a decline. Expectations range from a stock build of 5.5 million barrels to a draw of 2 million barrels.
Gasoline inventories are forecast to be down by 1.3 million barrels to 245.7 million barrels, with estimates ranging from a draw of 3 million barrels to a build of 2.6 million barrels.
Stocks of distillates, mostly diesel fuel, are expected to have fallen by 2 million barrels to 119.7 million barrels, with forecasts ranging from an increase of 1.1 million barrels to a decrease of 3.6 million barrels.
Refinery capacity use likely rose by 1.1 percentage point to 81.7%, according to the survey. Forecasts range from an increase of 4.5 percentage points to a decline of 0.6 percentage point. Two analysts didn't make a forecast for refinery runs.
Crude Gasoline Distillates Refinery Use
Again Capital 1.6 -1.1 -1.8 1.2
Commodity Research Group 4.0 -1.8 -2.5 0.5
Confluence Investment Management 5.5 -3.0 -2.0 4.5
DTN 1.8 -1.2 -1.8 0.2
Excel Futures 3.7 -2.9 -3.6 -0.6
Spartan Capital Securities -0.8 2.6 1.1 n/f
Price Futures Group -2.0 -3.0 -2.0 0.5
Ritterbusch and Associates 1.0 -1.0 -1.6 1.5
Tradition Energy -1.0 -0.2 -3.5 n/f
AVERAGE 1.5 -1.3 -2.0 1.1
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
02-27-24 1145ET
