The EIA reported a build of +3,591 MBbls in U.S. crude-oil inventories. In contrast, the market expected a draw of -2,820 MBbls as reported by Bloomberg. Prices were down in the five minutes following the announcement, to $80.68 from $80.79 just before 09:30 AM. Inventories for the U.S. are now at a surplus of 5.60 MMBbls (1.2%) to last year, and a deficit of 6.20 MMBbls (-1.3%) to the five-year average.
