Weekly EIA Petroleum Status Report – Week Ending August 29, 2025
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) published the weekly petroleum update for the period ending August 29. Refining activity stayed high, crude inventories posted a modest build, gasoline stocks drew sharply, and distillates rebuilt but remain well below normal. The release was shifted to Thursday due to the Labor Day calendar.
By the Numbers (Weekly Changes)
| Metric | Latest Reading |
|---|---|
| Refinery runs | 16.9 mbpd (−11 kbpd w/w); utilization 94.3% |
| Crude imports | 6.7 mbpd (+508 kbpd w/w); 4-wk avg +4.4% y/y |
| Crude inventories | +2.4 million bbl to 420.7 million (≈4% below 5-yr avg) |
| Gasoline inventories | −3.8 million bbl (≈2% below 5-yr avg) |
| Distillate inventories | +1.7 million bbl (≈13% below 5-yr avg) |
| Propane/propylene | +3.2 million bbl (≈12% above 5-yr avg) |
| Total commercial petroleum | +7.1 million bbl |
| Products supplied (implied demand, 4-wk avg) | 21.3 mbpd (+2.5% y/y) |
| Gasoline supplied (4-wk avg) | 9.1 mbpd (−0.8% y/y) |
| Distillate supplied (4-wk avg) | 3.9 mbpd (+4.2% y/y) |
| Jet fuel supplied (4-wk avg) | +4.4% y/y |
Crude Oil & Refining
Runs held near seasonal highs at 16.9 mbpd with utilization at 94.3%. Despite firm throughput, commercial crude stocks increased by 2.4 million barrels to 420.7 million, keeping inventories about 4% below their 5-year norm. Imports rose to 6.7 mbpd (+508 kbpd w/w), contributing to the crude build alongside steady domestic processing.
Gasoline
Production eased to 9.9 mbpd. Gasoline inventories fell 3.8 million barrels and now sit ~2% below average, with declines in both finished product and blending components. The 4-week gasoline demand proxy (products supplied) averaged 9.1 mbpd, down 0.8% y/y, consistent with late-season normalization after peak driving months.
Distillates
Distillate production ticked up by 36 kbpd to 5.3 mbpd. Stocks rebuilt by 1.7 million barrels on the week, yet remain ~13% below the 5-year average heading into fall. The 4-week demand proxy averaged 3.9 mbpd, up 4.2% y/y, reflecting resilient freight and industrial pull even as inventories try to catch up.
Ethanol
Ethanol balances reflect typical late-summer blending patterns as the grain harvest approaches. No material divergence from seasonal norms was indicated in this week’s top-line measures.
Total Products Supplied (Implied Demand)
The 4-week average across all products reached 21.3 mbpd, up 2.5% y/y. Jet fuel demand rose 4.4% y/y. Total commercial petroleum inventories increased by 7.1 million barrels, led by propane/propylene (up 3.2 million, 12% above the 5-year average).
Recent Price Action & Market Sentiment
Into today’s release, crude futures extended weekly losses as traders weighed the crude build and an upcoming OPEC+ policy meeting. In Thursday trade, Brent eased toward the mid-$67s and WTI hovered in the low-$63s, adding to a >2% decline seen mid-week. API data earlier in the week signaled a small U.S. crude build, and a Reuters survey indicated OPEC output rose in August. Market tone is cautious: participants are focused on the weekend OPEC+ meeting and its implications for Q4 supply against a seasonal demand slowdown.
Takeaways
- Crude: Build alongside high runs and stronger imports; stocks still sit below normal.
- Gasoline: Meaningful draw as summer winds down; demand trend softens modestly on a 4-week basis.
- Distillates: Rebuild continues but the structural deficit vs 5-year average persists into fall.
- Macro/Sentiment: Prices are leaning defensive on OPEC+ supply risk and a mid-week crude build signal; near-term direction hinges on the weekend policy outcome.
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