The EIA reported a build of +10,231 MBbls in U.S. crude-oil inventories. In contrast, the market expected a draw of -3,409 MBbls as reported by Bloomberg.
Prices were up in the five minutes following the announcement, to $76.40 from $76.09 just before 09:30 AM.
Inventories for the U.S. are now at a deficit of 4.80 MMBbls (-1.1%) to last year, and a deficit of 28.20 MMBbls (-6.2%) to the five-year average.
