U.S. Crude Oil Inventories Run 6% Below Five-Year Norm

U.S. crude stocks fell 1.7 million barrels to 409.7 million for the week ending July 10, 2026, the EIA reported July 15. That leaves inventories about 6% below the five-year seasonal average — a persistent shortfall that matters more than any single weekly draw, with knock-on effects for refineries, freight costs, and fuel margins through late summer.