EIA_CRUDE
EIA Crude Oil Inventories
The EIA’s Wednesday petroleum report counts US crude and product stockpiles — the week’s main scheduled event for oil prices.
| Published by | US Energy Information Administration (EIA) |
|---|---|
| Frequency | Weekly, Wednesday |
| Release time | 10:30 AM ET |
What it measures
The Weekly Petroleum Status Report covers crude inventories (including the Cushing hub), gasoline and distillate stocks, production, imports and refinery utilization.
Why traders watch it
- Crude and gasoline builds or draws hit WTI within seconds — energy equities follow.
- Cushing stocks matter separately: it is the WTI delivery point, so local tightness distorts the whole curve.
How to read it
- Headline crude draw/build versus expectations first; then gasoline in driving season, distillates in winter.
- Cross-check with production and refinery utilization to explain the "why" of the move.
FAQ
Why did oil fall on an inventory draw?
Details override the headline: a draw caused by falling refinery runs, or paired with a big product build, reads as weak demand rather than tightness.
What about the API report the night before?
The industry API survey (Tuesday evening) previews the trade, but the EIA’s official data at 10:30 Wednesday settles it — the two frequently disagree.
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The official source of each release is authoritative. Not investment advice.