The EIA reported a build of +3,454 MBbls in U.S. crude-oil inventories. In contrast, the market expected a draw of -2,209 MBbls as reported by Bloomberg.
Prices were unchanged in the five minutes following the announcement, to $63.52 from $63.52 just before 09:30 AM.
Inventories for the U.S. are now at a deficit of 15.90 MMBbls (-3.5%) to last year, and a deficit of 30.70 MMBbls (-6.5%) to the five-year average.
