By Anthony Harrup

U.S. crude oil inventories likely rose for a third consecutive week, while gasoline stocks are seen declining further, according to a survey by The Wall Street Journal.

Commercial crude stocks are seen rising by 500,000 barrels to 435.7 million barrels in the week ended March 14, according to the average estimate of eight analysts and traders. Five expect an increase and three predict a decline. Expectations range from a draw of 2 million barrels to a build of 2.1 million barrels.

Gasoline inventories are expected to have fallen by 2.4 million barrels to 238.7 million barrels. Estimates range from a reduction of 1.8 million barrels to a drop of 3.1 million barrels.

Stocks of distillate fuels, mostly diesel, are expected to have risen by 100,000 barrels to 117.7 million barrels, with forecasts ranging from an increase of 2.7 million barrels to a decrease of 2 million barrels.

Refinery capacity use likely edged up by a tenth of a percentage point to 86.6%, according to the survey. Forecasts range from a 1 percentage point increase to a 1 percentage point decline. Two analysts didn't forecast refinery runs.

The inventory data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration is scheduled for release Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. EDT.

 
                                   Crude   Gasoline Distillates Refinery Use 
   Confluence Investment Management  2.0     -3.0      1.0       1.0 
   Rystad Energy                    -0.4     -3.1      0.2      -1.0 
   Excel Futures                     2.1     -3.1     -1.5      -0.5 
   Spartan Capital Securities       -1.4     -2.6      2.7       n/f 
   Mizuho                            1.0     -2.0     -0.5       0.5 
   Price Futures Group              -2.0     -2.0     -2.0       unch 
   Ritterbusch and Associates        1.9     -2.0      0.5       0.5 
   Tradition Energy                  0.8     -1.8      0.2       n/f 
 
   AVERAGE                           0.5     -2.4      0.1       0.1 
 

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

March 18, 2025 13:15 ET (17:15 GMT)

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