Analysts Predict Weekly Draw in U.S. Crude Oil Stockpiles

By Anthony Harrup

U.S. crude oil inventories and product stocks likely fell last week with refineries pulling back from near full-capacity use, according to a survey by The Wall Street Journal.

Commercial crude stocks are seen falling by 1.4 million barrels to 423.1 million barrels in the week ended Sept. 4, according to the average estimate of eight analysts and traders. Seven expect a withdrawal and one predicts a build. Estimates range from a decline of 3 million barrels to an increase of 744,000 barrels.

Gasoline inventories are expected to be down by 1.4 million barrels at 204.3 million barrels, according to the survey, with estimates ranging from a 500,000 barrel build to a 3.7 million barrel drop.

Stocks of distillate fuel, mostly diesel, are seen falling by 400,000 barrels to 103.8 million barrels, with forecasts ranging from a 1.7 million barrel decline to a 2.1 million barrel rise.

Refinery capacity use likely fell by 0.8 of a percentage point to 97.2%, according to the survey. Estimates range from a 0.2 percentage point increase to a 2.8 percentage point decline. One analyst didn't forecast refinery runs.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration is scheduled to release the inventory data on Thursday at 1200 EDT.

 
                                    Crude    Gasoline  Distillates Refinery Use 
   Again Capital                    -1.2       -1.3       -1.7       -0.8 
   Confluence Investment Management -1.5        0.5       -1.5       -0.8 
   Rystad Energy                     0.7       -1.2       -0.1       -2.8 
   Excel Futures                    -0.5       -1.7        0.9       -0.8 
   Spartan Capital Securities       -2.9       -3.7        2.1        n/f 
   Mizuho                           -3.0       -1.0       -1.0       -0.5 
   Price Futures Group              -2.2       -1.8       -0.4       -0.2 
   Ritterbusch and Associates       -0.5       -0.8       -1.3        0.2 
 
   AVERAGE                          -1.4       -1.4       -0.4       -0.8 
 

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

September 09, 2026 10:58 ET (14:58 GMT)