U.S. crude stocks fell modestly last week, while gasoline stocks increased more than expected, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said on Dec. 28.

Crude inventories were down by 46,000 barrels (bbl) in the week to Dec. 21, compared with analysts' expectations for a decrease of 2.9 million barrels (MMbbl).

Crude stocks at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery hub rose by 799,000 bbl, EIA said.

Refinery crude runs fell by 58,000 bbl/d, EIA data showed. Refinery utilization rates fell by 0.3 percentage points.

Gasoline stocks rose by 3 MMbbl, compared with analysts' expectations in a Reuters poll for a gain of 28,000 bbl.

Distillate stockpiles, which include diesel and heating oil, rose by 2,000 bbl, versus expectations for a 529,000-bbl drop, the EIA data showed.

Net U.S. crude imports fell last week by 411,000 bbl/d.

Onshore