The EIA reported a build of +3,254 MBbls in U.S. crude-oil inventories. In contrast, the market expected a draw of -469 MBbls as reported by Bloomberg.
Prices were up in the five minutes following the announcement, to $95.60 from $94.87 just before 09:30 AM.
Inventories for the U.S. are now at a deficit of 11.70 MMBbls (-2.7%) to last year, and a deficit of 39.50 MMBbls (-8.5%) to the five-year average.
