WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- U.S. crude oil inventories rose by a surprising 1.3 million barrels last week, the Energy Department said Wednesday.
At 322.5 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories for the week ending Dec. 16 are well above the upper end of the average range for this time of year. Analysts were expecting the figure to decline by at least 1 million barrels.
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Gasoline supplies inched down by 300,000 barrels last week, putting them in the lower half of the average range.
Heating oil and diesel fuel inventories declined by a combined 2.8 million barrels, putting them in the lower half of the average range for this time of year.