US oil prices inched down on Thursday, with traders worried about the strength of demand in the United States after gasoline stockpiles there grew last week by far more than analysts had expected.
International Brent crude oil futures were down 34 cents, or 0.6 percent, at $60.98 per barrel.
"While (US) inventories fell slightly more than expected, there was a large build in gasoline inventories. This stoked fears of weak demand in the US," ANZ Bank said in a research note.
The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in a report on Wednesday that crude production rose last week to a record 11.9 million barrels per day (bpd), as crude exports jumped close to all-time highs near 3 million bpd.
However, gasoline stockpiles climbed 7.5 million barrels, far exceeding analyst expectations in a Reuters poll for a 2.8 million-barrel gain. At 255.6 million barrels, gasoline stocks were at their highest weekly level since February, 2017.
U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude futures were at $52 per barrel at 0140 GMT, down 31 cents, or 0.6 percent, from their last settlement.
International Brent crude oil futures were down 34 cents, or 0.6 percent, at $60.98 per barrel.
"While (US) inventories fell slightly more than expected, there was a large build in gasoline inventories. This stoked fears of weak demand in the US," ANZ Bank said in a research note.
The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in a report on Wednesday that crude production rose last week to a record 11.9 million barrels per day (bpd), as crude exports jumped close to all-time highs near 3 million bpd.
However, gasoline stockpiles climbed 7.5 million barrels, far exceeding analyst expectations in a Reuters poll for a 2.8 million-barrel gain. At 255.6 million barrels, gasoline stocks were at their highest weekly level since February, 2017.
First Published: Jan 17, 2019 6:42 AM IST
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