Category Archives: Oil Inventory Report

U.S. Oil Inventory Report — Week Ending 21 August 2026

1. Crude Oil Inventories

U.S. commercial crude oil inventories (excluding the Strategic Petroleum Reserve) increased by 0.1 million barrels from the previous week, reaching 428.9 million barrels. This level is 1% above the five‑year average for this time of year.

The Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) stands at 289.7 million barrels.

2. Total Petroleum Inventories

Total commercial petroleum inventories (crude + products) increased by 0.1 million barrels week‑over‑week.

Total stocks including the SPR are 1,535.1 million barrels, while total stocks excluding the SPR are 1,245.4 million barrels.

3. Gasoline Inventories

Motor gasoline inventories fell by 2.5 million barrels and now sit 6% below the five‑year average. Both finished gasoline and blending components declined.

Breakdown from the detailed stock table:

  • Total motor gasoline: 206.8 million barrels
  • Reformulated gasoline: 14.8 million barrels
  • Conventional gasoline: 192.0 million barrels

4. Distillate Inventories

Distillate fuel inventories fell by 2.2 million barrels and are now 14% below the five‑year average.

Detailed breakdown:

  • Total distillate: 103.4 million barrels
  • Ultra‑low sulfur (15 ppm): 93.6 million barrels

5. Jet Fuel, Residual Fuel, and Other Products

  • Kerosene‑type jet fuel: 45.7 million barrels (slight weekly decline)
  • Residual fuel oil: 21.6 million barrels (small weekly increase)
  • Other oils: 304.2 million barrels (weekly increase of 1.8 million barrels)

6. Propane/Propylene Inventories

Propane/propylene inventories increased by 2.5 million barrels and are now 32% above the five‑year average — one of the strongest inventory positions among major petroleum products.

Total propane/propylene stocks: 109.5 million barrels.

7. Supply & Demand Context

Total products supplied (a proxy for U.S. petroleum demand) averaged 20.5 million barrels per day over the past four weeks, down 3.0% from the same period last year. Gasoline demand averaged 8.9 million barrels/day, down 1.1% year‑over‑year. Distillate demand averaged 3.8 million barrels/day, down 2.2%.

8. Summary — Key Inventory Signals

  • Crude oil: Slight build; inventories remain slightly above seasonal norms.
  • Gasoline: Significant draw; inventories well below average → tighter market.
  • Distillates: Another large draw; inventories deeply below average → structurally tight.
  • Propane: Strong build; inventories far above average → comfortable supply.
  • Total petroleum: Essentially flat week‑over‑week.

Overall, the U.S. oil inventory picture shows tight refined product markets (gasoline, distillate) and stable crude stocks, with propane remaining exceptionally well supplied.