SUBSCRIBE
PROFILE

U.S. Crude Oil Stocks Rise Despite Lower Refinery Demand

U.S. crude inventories are expected to increase by 800,000 barrels as refineries slow down, leading to reduced stocks of essential refined products like gasoline and distillates.

Share:

Subscribe for unlimited access to all the latest energy sector news.

Over 150 multisector articles and analyses every week.

For less than €3/week*

*For an annual commitment

*Engagement annuel à seulement 99 € (au lieu de 149 €), offre valable jusqu'au 30/07/2025 minuit.

SUBSCRIBE
U.S. crude oil stocks are expected to rise for the week ending October 25, according to a survey conducted by S&P Global Commodity Insights. The anticipated 800,000-barrel increase would bring total commercial crude stocks to around 426.8 million barrels, approximately 4% below the five-year average set by the U.S. Energy…

U.S. crude oil stocks are expected to rise for the week ending October 25, according to a survey conducted by S&P Global Commodity Insights. The anticipated 800,000-barrel increase would bring total commercial crude stocks to around 426.8 million barrels, approximately 4% below the five-year average set by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Reduced refinery activity is one of the main factors explaining this stock build-up. Refineries have been operating at about 89% of their capacity, representing a 0.5 percentage point decrease compared to the previous week. Despite this reduction, production levels remain well above last year’s, as refineries continue operations while avoiding significant seasonal shutdowns.

Maintenance Activity and Margin Adjustments

This month, maintenance operations have temporarily shut down approximately 1.3 million barrels per day of refining capacity. Production shutdowns are expected to peak in October, impacting stocks of refined products such as gasoline and distillates, which are anticipated to continue declining.

In response, Valero Energy, one of the major U.S. oil companies, plans to increase its production rates during the fourth quarter. This strategy, aimed at higher profit margins, is based on reduced refined product stocks, increased diesel demand, and a wider price gap for sour crude due to rising available supplies.

Impact on Gasoline and Distillate Stocks

Meanwhile, national stocks of refined products, such as gasoline and distillates, continue to decline. Analysts expect a reduction of 1.1 million barrels in gasoline stocks, which should reach around 212.5 million barrels. This figure remains 11 million barrels below levels seen last year, marking the lowest stock level since November 2022.

Similarly, distillate stocks, used primarily for heating and truck fuel, are expected to drop by 1.4 million barrels to 112.4 million barrels, reaching their lowest level in ten months. These stock reductions highlight a refined products market under pressure as energy demand rises and temporarily reduced refining capacity creates a supply deficit.

  • Popular on energynews.pro
Occidental and Algeria Launch Two Studies to Assess New Oil and Gas Fields
Norway exceeds its oil and gas production forecasts in July
Washington strengthens ties with Pakistan over minerals and hydrocarbons
RWE posts €2.1bn adjusted EBITDA in H1 2025 despite adverse wind conditions
Moscow develops Arctic turbines for the Northern Sea Route
Talos identifies new hydrocarbon reserve in the Gulf of Mexico
Talos Energy confirmed the presence of oil in the Daenerys area, located in the Gulf of Mexico, after a successful sub-salt drilling operation completed ahead of schedule.
Ithaca Energy doubles production in H1 2025 and raises its forecasts
Thanks to strong operational performance, Ithaca Energy recorded record production in the first half of 2025, supporting improved annual guidance and significant dividend distributions.
Oil prices rise after unexpected decline in US crude stocks
A surprise drop in US crude inventories and renewed focus on peace talks in Ukraine are shaping oil market dynamics.
Resumption of Russian Oil to Hungary Despite Tensions Linked to Ukrainian Strikes
The Druzhba pipeline has resumed flows to Hungary, while recent strikes raise questions about the energy interests at stake within the European Union.
Namibia: FPSO shortage and rig costs constrain the oil agenda
The resumption of Shell’s drilling operations and the advancement of competing projects are unfolding in a context dominated by the availability of FPSOs and deepwater drilling capacity, which dictate industrial sequencing and development costs.
Indonesia Energy enters the Brazilian market with a strategic exploratory agreement
Indonesia Energy Corporation signs a memorandum of understanding with Aguila Energia to identify oil and gas assets in Brazil, marking a first incursion outside its domestic market.
YPF Transfers Seven Oil Zones to Terra Ignis to Refocus Its Assets
YPF transfers management of seven conventional zones to Terra Ignis, marking a key step in its strategy to refocus on higher-value projects.
Viper Energy finalizes the acquisition of Sitio Royalties to strengthen its production
Viper Energy, a subsidiary of Diamondback Energy, has completed the acquisition of Sitio Royalties and is raising its production forecast for the third quarter of 2025.
Global Petrochemical Investments Projected to Reach USD 956 Billion by 2032
Driven by rising industrial demand and emerging capacities in Asia, the global petrochemicals market is expected to see sustained expansion despite regulatory pressures and raw material cost challenges.
U.S. Tariffs: India Increases Brazilian Crude Imports by 80% in 2025
Indian imports of Brazilian crude reach 72,000 barrels per day in the first half of 2025, driven by U.S. sanctions, and are expected to grow with new contracts and upstream projects between Petrobras and Indian refiners.
Russian Oil Deliveries to Hungary and Slovakia Suspended After Strike
Oil flows to Hungary and Slovakia via the Russian Druzhba pipeline have been halted, following an attack Budapest attributes to repeated Ukrainian strikes.
Resumption of drilling at Sèmè field: Benin restarts its oil production
After twenty-seven years of inactivity, the offshore Sèmè field sees operations restart under the direction of Akrake Petroleum, with production targeted by the end of 2025.
China: Refineries Increase Output but Maintain Crude Oil Surplus
In July, China maintained a crude oil surplus of 530,000 barrels per day despite high refining activity, confirming a stockpiling strategy amid fluctuating global prices.
Petrobras negotiates to increase capacity of three FPSOs in Brazil
Petrobras is holding talks with SBM Offshore and Modec to raise output from three strategic FPSOs, two already at full capacity, to capture more value from the high-potential pre-salt fields.
Obsidian Energy Repurchases $1.4 Million in Unsecured Bond Debt
The Canadian company finalized a partial repurchase of its high-yield bonds, well below the initially proposed amount of $48.4 million.
SNF acquires Obsidian Chemical Solutions and strengthens its foothold in the Permian Basin
SNF acquires Obsidian Chemical Solutions, a Texas-based SME specialized in chemical solutions for well completion. Transaction amount and conditions undisclosed, but the acquisition comes in a growing North American market.
U.S. Court Halts Transfer of 51% of YPF Shares to Creditors
A New York appeals court has temporarily frozen the enforcement of a ruling ordering Argentina to transfer 51% of YPF’s capital, pending review of the appeal filed by Buenos Aires.
Putin Signs Decree Paving the Way for Exxon’s Return to Sakhalin-1
A new Russian presidential decree could allow Exxon Mobil to reclaim its stake in Sakhalin-1, under strict conditions tied to Western sanctions and equipment logistics.
South African court blocks TotalEnergies oil project off Cape coast
The South African judiciary has revoked TotalEnergies’ authorization to explore a 10,000 km² offshore block, forcing the group into a new procedure that includes a public consultation.
An Elliott affiliate raises bid to $8.82bn for Citgo’s parent company
Amber Energy, an affiliate of hedge fund Elliott Investment Management, submitted an $8.82bn offer for PDV Holding, intensifying competition in the court-supervised sale process in Delaware.
Consent Preferences