Crude inventories increased by 2.4 million barrels on the week ending April 18, slightly more than the previous week's decline of 2.3 million barrels.

Supplies last week totaled to 316.1 million barrels.

Gasoline inventories declined by 3.2 million barrels, but remain in the upper limit of the average range for this time of year, the report said.

Both finished gasoline inventories and gasoline blending components inventories decreased. Distillate fuel inventories also declined, down 1.4 million barrels to a current supply of 104.7 million barrels.