Crude Inventories Rise
Crude oil prices came under pressure once again this week.
Against a broader backdrop of risk aversion, news of a fresh build in US crude inventories increased the selling pressure in crude.
The Energy Information Administration reported that in the week ending October 23rd, US crude inventories rose by 4.3 million barrels. This latest increase takes the total inventories level back up to 492.4 million barrels.
The result was well above the 1.2 million barrels forecast by analysts. At this level, crude inventories are now sitting 9% above their 5-year seasonal average.
Production Surges
Notably, the EIA reported that US crude production surged higher last week.
Production climbed to 11.1 million barrels per day, its highest level since July.
Part of the increase in production was down to offshore sites returning to production following closures during Hurricane Delta.
Gasoline & Distillate Inventories Fall
Elsewhere, the EIA reported that US gasoline inventories fell by 892k barrels over the week. This took them down to 226.1 million barrels which was in line with expectations.
At this level, gasoline inventories are now 3% above their five-year seasonal average.
Meanwhile, distillate stockpiles, including diesel and heating oil, were lower by 4.5 million barrels. This far exceeded expectations for a 2.1 million barrel drop.
Distillate stockpiles are now 17% above their five-year seasonal average.
The EIA also noted that refinery utilization rates were higher by 1.7% over the week. They rose to 74.6% of total capacity as refinery utilization rates increased by 362k barrels.
Net US crude imports were higher by 122k barrels per day, adding to the build in inventories.
Risk-Off Trading Hurting Oil
In terms of gauging demand, the total products supplied number was 11.9% lower over the last four weeks. This is in comparison to the same period last year, at an average of 18.9 million barrels per day.
Gasoline products supplied were 10.2% down on the same four-week period last year at an average of 8.6 million barrels per day.
Distillate products supplied were down 5.2% on the same period last year at an average of 4 million barrels per day.
Crude prices have been heavily impacted by the increasingly risk-off tone to markets as COVID second wave fears and US elections uncertainty continue to dominate price action.
Crude Turning Lower Again
Following the reversal from the latest retest of the 50% retracement from 2020 highs, crude prices are now once again retesting the broken bearish channel which has formed over the recent correction.
Focus is now on the 36.23 level support which, if broken will open the 33.17 level next. Below there the channel low sits as the net support ahead of the deeper 25.65 level.
