Commercial crude oil stocks rose by 900,000 barrels last week, contrary to analyst expectations of a 200,000-barrel decline, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Inventories reached 427.3 million barrels in the week ended Sept. 25, about 2% above the five-year average.

U.S. crude oil production was estimated at 14 million barrels a day, up by 16,000 barrels from the previous week. Crude oil imports fell by 179,000 barrels a day to 5.7 million barrels a day. Refineries operated at 92.5% of capacity, down from 94% the week before, matching analyst predictions of a slowdown.

Gasoline inventories fell by 1.7 million barrels to 204.3 million barrels, 7% below the five-year average, defying expectations of a 300,000-barrel increase. Distillate fuel stocks dropped by 2.3 million barrels to 105.2 million barrels, 14% below the five-year average, versus a forecasted fall of 200,000 barrels.

Write to Kirk Maltais at [email protected]