Mubasher: Crude oil inventories in the US dropped by 5.9 million barrels to 426.5 million barrels in the week ended 15 June, as shown by the data of the Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Meanwhile, experts polled by S&P Global Platts had expected a fall of 3.7 million barrels.

Total motor gasoline stockpiles increased by 3.3 million barrels, and distillate stocks rose by 2.7 million barrels.

US crude refinery inputs reached an average 17.7 million barrels per day (bpd) during the week, 196,000 bpd higher than the previous week’s average, as refineries operated at 96.7% of their operating capacity last week.

US crude imports reached an average of 8.2 million bpd for the same week, up 143,000 bpd from the week before, the EIA said.

By 2:32 pm GMT, US Nymex futures rose 1.44% to $66.01 per barrel (pb), while international Brent crude futures went up 0.56% to $75.50 pb.