Energy

Oil jumps 3.1% to 2-week high, settling at $67.86, after big drop in US crude stockpiles

Key Points
  • The Energy Information Administration reports U.S. crude stocks fell last week by 5.8 million barrels, nearly four times the drop analysts expected.
  • Oil also finds support from a weaker dollar, which makes oil less expensive for buyers using other currencies.
  • The prospect of a drop in oil exports from Iran, the third-largest OPEC producer, in response to new U.S. sanctions is also supporting the market.
What's behind the rally in crude oil
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What's behind the rally in crude oil

Oil prices rose more than 3 percent on Wednesday after government data showed a larger-than-anticipated drop in U.S. crude inventories as the nation's imports fell and refineries continued to run near full capacity.

U.S. crude ended Wednesday's session at a two-week high, jumping $2.02, or 3.1 percent, to settle at $67.87. , the international benchmark, rose $2.15, or 3 percent, to $74.78 a barrel by 2:29 p.m. ET.

U.S. crude inventories fell 5.8 million barrels last week, the Energy Information Administration said, exceeding the 1.5 million-barrel draw forecast by analysts polled by Reuters.

Refinery crude runs slipped 89,000 barrels per day from the previous week's record high to 17.9 million bpd, EIA data showed. Refinery utilization rates remained unchanged last week at 98.1 percent of total capacity, the highest rates since 1999.

"As refinery runs continue to kick around close to a record high - easing just 89,000 bpd last week - and as imports have dropped off on the prior week, crude inventories have shown a solid draw, particularly on the U.S. Gulf Coast," said Matt Smith, director of commodities research at ClipperData.

There will be further 'upside' to oil prices this year due to supply disruptions: Bernstein
VIDEO2:0902:09
There will be further 'upside' to oil prices this year due to supply disruptions: Bernstein

Oil also found support from a weak dollar, which has slipped this week in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's comment that he was "not thrilled" by the Federal Reserve's interest rate increases.

A weaker dollar makes oil less expensive for buyers using other currencies.

The prospect of a drop in oil exports from Iran, the third-largest producer in the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, in response to new U.S. sanctions is also supporting the market.

European oil companies have started to cut back on Iranian purchases, although Chinese buyers are shifting their cargoes to Iranian-owned vessels to keep supplies flowing.

"The Iran issue continues to occupy traders' minds," said Greg McKenna, chief market strategist at futures brokerage AxiTrader.

OPEC has started to boost supplies following a deal with Russia and other allies in June, although producers have been cautious so far. Saudi Arabia told OPEC it cut supply in July, rather than increasing output as expected.

Signs of tighter supply countered concern about slowing oil demand stemming partly from the trade dispute between the United States and China, the world's two largest economies.

U.S. and Chinese officials were set to resume talks on Wednesday, but Trump has predicted there will be no real progress.

— CNBC's Tom DiChristopher contributed to this report.