US Crude Oil Stocks Seen Down 1.2m b/d Last Week: WSJ

US crude oil inventories likely fell last week, while gasoline and distillate stocks rose, according to a survey by the WSJ, cited by Dow Jones.

• Based on the results of the survey, crude inventories will fall 1.2m bbl to 443.8m bbl in the week ending Dec. 8.
• Eight participants predicted a decrease while two participants expected an increase. The responses ranged from a draw of 3.3m bbl to a build of 2m bbl.
• This would mark the second straight week of declines in crude stocks, as refineries ramp up capacity use.
• Gasoline inventories are expected to build by 1.9m bbl to 225.5m bbl, with responses from a draw of 1.7m bbl to a build of 4.6m bbl. Nine of the ten respondents expect a build.
• For distillate stocks, respondents expect a build of 0.4m bbl with a range of responses from a 2.4m bbl draw to a 2.4m bbl build.