WASHINGTON, Sept. 27 (UPI) -- Delivery of petroleum and petroleum products on U.S. railways increased 8 percent for the week ending Sept. 21, a trade group said.
The Association of American Railroads said Thursday overall rail traffic for the week was down 1.5 percent from the same time last year, but six of the 10 commodity groups delivered by rail in the United States showed increases.
High rates of crude oil production in the United States have put a strain on existing pipeline capacity. AAR said 12,767 carloads, or roughly 8.9 million barrels, were delivered for the week, an 8 percent increase from last year.
The U.S. Energy Department said the August average crude oil production of 7.6 million barrels per day was the highest monthly level since 1989.
