By Anthony Harrup
U.S. crude oil inventories likely posted a second consecutive build last week, while product stocks are expected to have declined, according to a survey by The Wall Street Journal.
Commercial crude stocks are seen rising by 1.1 million barrels to 429.9 million barrels in the week ended Feb. 13, according to the average estimate of seven analysts and traders. Five expect an increase and two predict a decline. Expectations range from an increase of 5.2 million barrels to a drop of 3 million barrels.
Gasoline inventories are expected to have fallen by 700,000 barrels to 258.4 million barrels, which would mark the first decline in 14 weeks. Estimates range from a 2.2 million barrel build to a 3 million barrel draw.
Stocks of distillate fuel, mostly diesel, are expected to be down by 1.4 million barrels at 123.3 million barrels, with forecasts ranging from a decline of 100,000 barrels to a decline of 3 million barrels.
Refinery capacity use is seen rising by one fifth of a percentage point to 89.6%, with estimates ranging from a 1 percentage point increase to a 0.8 percentage point decline. Two analysts didn't forecast refinery runs.
The U.S. Energy Information Administration is scheduled to release the inventory data on Thursday at 12 p.m. EST.
Crude Gasoline Distillates Refinery Use
Again Capital 1.8 2.2 -1.4 0.9
Confluence Investment Management 1.5 -0.5 -2.5 -0.8
Rystad Energy 2.4 -0.2 -0.2 1.0
Spartan Capital Securities -2.7 -0.7 -1.1 n/f
Price Futures Group -3.0 -3.0 -3.0 unch
Ritterbusch and Associates 2.3 -0.2 -1.6 -0.3
Tradition Energy 5.2 -2.3 -0.1 n/f
AVERAGE 1.1 -0.7 -1.4 0.2
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
February 18, 2026 13:07 ET (18:07 GMT)
Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
