EIA Crude Oil Inventories

The EIA Crude Oil Inventories report shows how U.S. crude oil stockpiles change from week to week. This data is closely watched by traders, analysts, and investors because it gives valuable insight into the balance between oil supply and demand .

Published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) , this report tracks the amount of crude oil stored by commercial companies across the United States. Since the U.S. is one of the world’s largest oil producers and consumers, this data has a major impact on both domestic and global oil prices.

What Are Crude Oil Inventories?

Crude oil inventories refer to the amount of oil stored in commercial facilities, usually measured in barrels . These figures are a key indicator of whether there's too much or too little oil in the market — which helps predict where prices might be heading. Policymakers also use this data to guide energy-related decisions.

When Is the Report Released?

The EIA publishes this report every week , typically on Wednesdays at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Time (ET) . If there's a U.S. federal holiday on the Monday before the release, the report comes out on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. ET instead.

You can access the full report for free on the EIA’s official website: www.eia.gov . The site also offers historical data and additional details that help with long-term analysis and comparisons.

Key Data Points in the Report

The EIA Crude Oil Inventories report includes several important metrics:

• Total Commercial Crude Oil Inventories : The total volume of crude oil currently held by commercial companies in the U.S.
• Weekly Change : How much inventories increased or decreased compared to the previous week.
• Regional Breakdown : Where the oil is stored across different parts of the U.S.
• Days of Supply : An estimate of how many days it would take to use up the current inventory at the current rate of refinery activity.

What Do the Numbers Mean?

An increase in crude oil inventories typically suggests that demand is slowing down or that there's an oversupply in the market, which can lead to lower oil prices.

On the other hand, a decrease in inventories often reflects strong demand or limited supply, which can drive prices higher.

Due to its direct impact on market expectations, the EIA report is widely regarded as one of the most closely watched weekly economic reports in the energy industry.

Why Is It Important?

Traders and investors rely heavily on this report to make informed decisions about buying or selling oil-related assets. Since changes in crude oil supplies can affect everything from gasoline prices to inflation, the report plays a major role in shaping not just energy markets, but broader financial and economic trends as well.