-- US crude stockpiles dropped by 6.2 million barrels to 459.5 mmbbls in the week ended April 24, the Energy Information Administration said in its weekly report on Wednesday.
Crude inventories are now about 1% above the five-year average for this time of year, the EIA said.
Crude oil input to refineries increased by 85,000 barrels per day from the previous week to average 16.1 mmb/d in the week ending April 24. Crude oil production rose by 1,000 b/d to average 13.5 mmb/d.
Commercial crude imports decreased by 329,000 b/d to average about 5.8 mmb/d. Total motor gasoline stockpiles decreased by 6.1 mmbbls from last week to 222.3 mmbbls, and distillate stocks dropped by 4.5 mmbbls to 103.6 mmbbls, the agency said.