The EIA reported a build of +1,745 MBbls in U.S. crude-oil inventories. In contrast, the market expected a draw of 105 MBbls as reported by Bloomberg.
Prices were up in the five minutes following the announcement, to $67.12 from $67.04 just before 09:30 AM.
Inventories for the U.S. are now at a deficit of 8.60 MMBbls (-1.9%) to last year, and a deficit of 22.30 MMBbls (-4.9%) to the five-year average.
