U.S. crude stocks drop sharply, fuel inventories down – EIA

(Reuters) – U.S. crude shares, gasoline and distillate inventories fell final week, the Vitality Data Administration stated on Wednesday.

    Crude inventories fell by 8 million barrels within the week ended April 15 to 413.7 million barrels, in contrast with analysts’ expectations in a Reuters ballot for a 2.5 million-barrel rise.

    Crude shares on the Cushing, Oklahoma, supply hub fell by 185,000 barrels within the final week, EIA stated.

    Refinery crude runs rose by 194,000 barrels per day within the final week, EIA stated.

    Refinery utilization charges rose by 1 share factors within the week.

    U.S. gasoline shares fell by 761,000 barrels within the week to 232.4 million barrels, the EIA stated, in contrast with analysts’ expectations in a Reuters ballot for a 1 million-barrel drop.​

    Distillate stockpiles, which embrace diesel and heating oil, fell by 2.7 million barrels within the week to 108.7 million barrels, versus expectations for an 829,000-barrel drop, the EIA knowledge confirmed.

    Internet U.S. crude imports fell by 2.25 million barrels per day, EIA stated.

(Reporting By David Gaffen)