The EIA reported a build of +1,338 MBbls in U.S. crude-oil inventories. In contrast, the market expected a draw of -199 MBbls as reported by Bloomberg.
Prices were up in the five minutes following the announcement, to $72.92 from $72.78 just before 09:30 AM.
Inventories for the U.S. are now at a deficit of 4.50 MMBbls (-1.0%) to last year, and a deficit of 8.60 MMBbls (-1.9%) to the five-year average.
