U.S. crude oil inventories climbed for a seventh straight week, rising 3.1 million barrels to 464.7 million barrels, according to the Energy Information Administration. The jump eclipses analysts’ modest 600,000‑barrel expectation and pushes stocks roughly 2 % above the five‑year average for this time of year for traders.

While crude stocks rise, gasoline and diesel inventories slipped, tightening supply for end‑user markets. The SPR shed 1.7 million barrels to 413.3 million barrels after the Energy Department released oil to offset disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, Cushing, Oklahoma, added 24,000 barrels for the market.

Daily production dipped 61,000 barrels to 13.6 million barrels, while imports fell 130,000 barrels to 6.3 million barrels. Exports rose 628,000 barrels to 4.1 million barrels, tightening the supply balance and supporting higher spot prices in the near term for investors and price volatility in global markets for all traders.

The sustained build in crude inventories amid declining production and rising exports signals a tightening supply curve that could keep prices elevated. Investors and fleet operators will monitor the trend closely, as it shapes hedging strategies and refinery scheduling decisions in the coming weeks for energy markets.