U.S. commercial crude oil inventories (excluding those in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve) decreased by 1.0 million barrels from the previous week and against expectations for a fall of 800,000 barrels. At 371.6 million barrels, U.S. crude oil inventories are well above the upper limit of the average range for this time of year. Total motor gasoline inventories increased by 2.2 million barrels last week and are above the upper limit of the average range. (full story)