By Anthony Harrup
U.S. crude oil inventories likely posted a small decline last week in what would be the first withdrawal in five weeks, according to a survey by The Wall Street Journal.
Commercial crude stocks are expected to have fallen by 300,000 barrels to 428.6 million barrels in the week ended Aug. 28, according to the average estimate of six analysts and traders. Three expect an increase and three predict a drop, with estimates ranging from a 2.5 million barrel draw to a 1 million barrel build.
Gasoline inventories are expected to be down by 1.7 million barrels at 205.1 million barrels, with forecasts ranging from a 1 million barrel withdrawal to a 3 million barrel withdrawal.
Stocks of distillate fuel, mostly diesel, are seen falling by 700,000 barrels to 102.7 million barrels. Estimates range from a decrease of 1.9 million barrels to an increase of 2 million barrels.
Refinery capacity use likely slowed to 97.1% from 97.4% the previous week, according to the survey. Forecasts range from a 1 percentage point drop to a 0.4 percentage point rise. One analyst didn't forecast refinery runs.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration is scheduled to release the inventory data at 10:30 a.m. ET on Wednesday.
Crude Gasoline Distillates Refinery Use
Again Capital -1.2 -1.6 -1.9 0.4
Confluence Investment Management -2.5 -1.0 2.0 -0.5
Rystad Energy 0.1 -3.0 -1.0 -1.0
Spartan Capital Securities -0.1 -1.5 unch n/f
Mizuho 1.0 -1.5 -1.5 -0.5
Price Futures Group 0.8 -1.8 -1.5 -0.1
AVERAGE -0.3 -1.7 -1.9 -0.3
Note: Numbers in millions of barrels, with the exception of refinery use, which is in percentage points.
n/f = no forecast
unch = unchanged
Write to Anthony Harrup at anthony.harrup@wsj.com
(END) Dow Jones Newswires
September 01, 2026 13:22 ET (17:22 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
