Statistical Report - Crude Oil and Petroleum Product Inventories
Release Date: March 17, 2026
Period Covered: Week Ending March 13, 2026
The American Petroleum Institute (API) releases weekly data on the status of crude oil and petroleum product stocks in the United States. This data represents the most comprehensive and widely used inventory information available to the petroleum industry and government policymakers.
Stocks of crude oil refer to the weekly change of the crude oil supply situation. API reports these figures based on survey data collected from a representative sample of petroleum refineries, bulk terminals, and other storage facilities across the nation.
| Metric | Current Week | Previous Week | Year Ago | 5-Year Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Crude Oil Stocks Change (Million Barrels) | +6.6 | -1.7 | +2.1 | +0.2 |
| Crude Oil Stocks (Million Barrels) | 436.2 | 429.6 | 428.5 | 428.3 |
| Crude Oil Refinery Inputs (Million Barrels/Day) | 16.8 | 17.1 | 16.5 | 16.7 |
Crude oil stocks increased by 6.6 million barrels during the week ending March 13, 2026, compared to a decrease of 1.7 million barrels in the previous week. This reversal reflects typical seasonal patterns in early March, with weather conditions and refinery maintenance schedules contributing to the inventory build.
The forecast for this week was a decrease of 0.6 million barrels; however, the actual increase of 6.6 million barrels exceeded expectations by 7.2 million barrels. This positive deviation suggests stronger-than-expected import activity and potentially reduced refinery throughput during the reporting period.
Total crude oil stocks stand at 436.2 million barrels, which is above the five-year average for this period. This elevated inventory level provides a cushion for refineries and supports overall petroleum supply security as we enter the spring driving season.
| Metric | Current Week | Previous Week | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Distillate Stocks (Million Barrels) | 158.4 | 159.1 | -0.7 |
| Distillate Production (Million Barrels/Day) | 4.3 | 4.2 | +0.1 |
| Metric | Current Week | Previous Week | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Gasoline Stocks (Million Barrels) | 225.8 | 223.4 | +2.4 |
| Gasoline Production (Million Barrels/Day) | 9.2 | 9.0 | +0.2 |
| Gasoline Demand (Million Barrels/Day) | 8.7 | 8.6 | +0.1 |
Gasoline inventories increased by 2.4 million barrels, reflecting the seasonal buildup typical for this time of year as refineries increase production in anticipation of the spring driving season. Distillate stocks declined modestly by 0.7 million barrels, indicating steady demand for heating oil and diesel fuel.
Refinery crude oil inputs averaged 16.8 million barrels per day during the reporting week, compared to 17.1 million barrels per day in the previous week. The modest decline in inputs was primarily due to scheduled maintenance at several Gulf Coast facilities.
| Region | Crude Oil Inputs (Million Barrels/Day) | Utilization Rate (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Midwest | 3.2 | 88.5 |
| Gulf Coast | 8.1 | 82.3 |
| West Coast | 2.8 | 85.1 |
| Other Regions | 2.7 | 79.2 |
| Total | 16.8 | 83.8 |
Overall refinery utilization rates remain healthy at 83.8%, supporting robust petroleum product production.
Crude oil imports during the week averaged 6.2 million barrels per day, up from 5.8 million barrels per day in the previous week. This increase reflects resumed imports following maintenance work at several U.S. Gulf Coast refineries.
Petroleum product exports continued at elevated levels, with total product exports averaging 0.8 million barrels per day, consistent with historical averages for this period.
Data Source: The API collects inventory data from a representative sample of petroleum refineries, bulk terminals, pipeline companies, and other storage facilities across the United States. The sample is designed to be statistically representative of the entire U.S. petroleum storage and refining complex.
Stock Measurement: Crude oil stocks represent the total volume of crude oil held by refineries and bulk terminals. These figures include crude oil in transit through pipelines where it is available for refinery input, but exclude crude oil in underground strategic reserves.
Reporting Schedule: API releases weekly inventory data each Wednesday evening (or Thursday if Wednesday is a holiday) based on data collected from reporting facilities on the preceding Tuesday.
Seasonal Adjustment: While API reports unadjusted figures, five-year average comparisons provide context for typical seasonal variations in inventory levels and movements.
For more information on API statistics and methodology, visit the API Statistics Department at www.api.org/statistics or contact the API Communications Department.