U.S. Natural Gas Inventories Rise 81 Billion Cubic Feet Nearing Injection Season End

U.S. natural gas inventories are expected to have risen slightly above the five-year average, increasing the surplus as the injection season nears its end. Meanwhile, U.S. crude oil inventories showed mixed signals: some reports indicated a slight build in crude stocks, while others noted a drawdown, with refinery activity fluctuating but generally increasing to meet steady demand. Gasoline stocks fell more than expected, reflecting solid demand, while distillate fuel stocks mostly declined. The government continues to replenish the Strategic Petroleum Reserve at a measured pace, adding around 800,000 to 1 million barrels recently, aiming to maintain emergency buffers. Oil prices responded to these mixed inventory signals, with West Texas Intermediate crude hovering near $58 per barrel, influenced by supply-demand balances and geopolitical factors such as President Trump's comments on international energy purchases. Overall, the energy market is balancing between rising production and tight inventories, with winter demand and refinery utilization playing key roles in near-term price and supply dynamics.