MARKETWIRE ALERTS

MARKETWIRE ALERTS 

MarketWire Afternoon News for September 17^th

Updated at 5:30 PM ET 

HEADLINES:

— AAR: Petroleum Carloads Fall 7.1% Week Ending Sept. 6

— Analysis: EIA Reports Hefty Crude Stock Draw as Exports Soar

— EIA: PADD 5 Gasoline Inventory Falls to 30M Bbl

— EIA: PADD 2 Gasoline Stocks Build 500K Bbl, Distillates Steady

— EIA: PADD 1 Distillate Inventory Up by 1M Bbl on Week

— EIA: PADD 3 Inventory Reports 1.7M Bbl Draw on Week

— EIA: Crude Draws 9.3M bbl, Distillates Build, Gasoline Falls

— EIA: US Ethanol Output Down 4.5%, Stocks Dip Y-o-Y

— EIA: Propane/Propylene Stocks Up 1.3% W/W

NEWS:

AAR: Petroleum Carloads Fall 7.1% Week Ending Sept. 6

The Association of American Railroads (AAR) data show petroleum and petroleum product carloads totaled 10,014 in the week ending September 6, down by 7.1% from the same week in 2024.

Year to date, petroleum and petroleum products carloads totaled 370,524, down by 0.9% from the corresponding period of the prior year, AAR reported this week.

Overall, AAR reports total U.S. weekly rail traffic was 467,880 carloads and intermodal units in the week profiled, down by 2.4% compared with the same week last year. Total carloads for the week-ended September 6 reached 214,383, down by 3.5% versus the same week last year, while U.S. weekly intermodal volume was 253,497 containers and trailers, a 1.4% decrease from 2024.

For the first 36 weeks of 2025, U.S. railroads reported cumulative volume of 7,963,526 carloads, up by 2.4% compared to the same period last year, and 9,724,964 intermodal units, up by 4.2% compared to last year. Total combined U.S. traffic for the first 36 weeks of 2025 was 17,688,490 carloads and intermodal units, reflecting a 3.3% increase compared to last year.

Analysis: EIA Reports Hefty Crude Stock Draw as Exports Soar

U.S. commercial crude oil inventories fell by 9.3 million bbl to 415.4 million bbl last week, down 0.5% year-on-year and 5% below the five-year seasonal average. Meanwhile, exports surged to their highest level in nearly two year, according to Energy Information Administration data released Wednesday (9/17).

Commercial crude oil stockpiles fell 0.5% year-on-year and 5% below the five-year seasonal average, according to the same data.

Crude oil exports in the week ending September 12 soared to 5.277 million bpd, the highest weekly pace since December 2023.

The plummeting imports and soaring exports led to a net crude oil import situation of just 415,000 bpd, the lowest weekly figure on record.

For comparison, net crude imports clocked in at 3.526 million bpd in the week ending September 5. They have averaged 2.306 million bpd over the past four weeks, compared to 2.555 million bpd in the same time span in 2024.

Imports fell by 579,000 bpd on the week to 5.692 million bpd, while exports rocketed by 2.532 million bpd to a 21-month high 5.277 million bpd.

Weekly import and export estimates are subject to large swings as they are highly dependent on the timing of customs filings and reporting by exporters. The EIA therefore recommends using the four-week averages to glean trends from the data instead.

In the four weeks ending September 12, U.S. crude oil imports have averaged 6.235 million bpd, down 150,000 bpd, or 2.4%, year-on-year.

Exports, meanwhile, stood at 3.929 million bpd on the four-week average, up 99,000 bpd, or 2.6%, year-on-year.

The 9.3 million bbl draw to commercial crude oil inventories came despite refiners pulling back operations as the main driving season has passed. Net crude oil inputs in refineries fell by close to 400,000 bpd to 16.424 million bpd last week. Crude processing rates have been closely aligned with year-ago levels, with the four-week averages remaining unchanged year-on-year at 16.75 million bpd.

A closer look at the data reveals the weekly jump in exports to have mostly been a matter of timing. On the cumulative daily average, crude oil exports continued to lag 2024 levels, down 310,000 bpd, or 7.4%, year-on-year. That said, the Brent-WTI differential has been continuously widening since early July. Export volumes of crude oil from the U.S. Gulf Coast have in the past strongly correlated with the Brent-WTI differential on a four-to-six-week delay. While this correlation has softened since WTI was included in the Brent benchmark, the spread still hints at the relative attractiveness of light sweet U.S. crude oil on the global market. It also might serve as a useful early indicator of the future pace of U.S. crude oil exports. Export volumes of crude oil from the U.S. Gulf Coast have in the past strongly correlated with the Brent-WTI differential on a four-to-six-week delay.

While this correlation has softened since WTI was added to the Brent benchmark, the spread still reflects the relative attractiveness of light sweet crude oil on the global market. It may also serve as a useful early indicator for the pace of U.S. crude exports.

EIA: PADD 5 Gasoline Inventory Falls to 30M Bbl

West Coast PADD 5 gasoline inventories slipped in the week ending September 12, while distillate and jet fuel inventories increased, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data on Wednesday (9/17).
Gasoline inventories fell by 400,000 bbl week-over-week to 30.0 million bbl during the week ending September 12. This was below the 27.8 million bbl gasoline stockpiles reported the same week of a year earlier.

EIA data showed gasoline imports declined by 45,000 bpd to 162,000 bpd in the reference week, and above the 24,000 bpd reported in the same week last year.

Distillate inventories climbed by 100,000 bbl to 12.2 million bbl in the reference week. Stocks were 800,000 bbl above last year’s 11.4 million bbl. Distillate imports fell by 30,000 bpd to 20,000 bpd. Imports were 27,000 bpd this time of last year.

Jet fuel inventories climbed by 400,000 bbl from the prior week to reach 11.7 million bbl. That compared with 12.2 million bbl reported last year. Imports fell by 66,000 bpd to reach 54,000 bpd, versus the 65,000 bpd tally in the same week of last year.
Crude oil inventories fell by 900,000 bbl to 45.0 million bbl from 45.9 million bbl in the reference week. That is 2.2 million bbl lower than the 47.2 million bbl held in the same week of the previous year.

EIA: PADD 2 Gasoline Stocks Build 500K Bbl, Distillates Steady

Midwest PADD 2 gasoline stocks rose in the week ending September 12, while distillate inventories held steady, jet fuel inventories edged higher, and crude oil supplies slipped, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data released Wednesday (9/17).

PADD 2 gasoline stocks increased by 500,000 bbl to 46.1 million bbl, unchanged from 46.0 million bbl reported in the same week last year. Gasoline imports into the Midwest averaged 13,000 bpd, down slightly from 14,000 bpd the prior week and up compared with 5,000 bpd during the same week of last year.

Midwest distillate inventories were at 30.6 million bbl in the week ending September 12, unchanged from the prior week and compared with 31.2 million bbl in the corresponding week last year. The region imported no distillates during the week, in line with zero imports reported last week. .

PADD 2 jet fuel inventories increased by 100,000 bbl to 7.7 million bbl in the latest week. That was just below the 7.9 million bbl recorded in the corresponding week of last year. Regional jet fuel imports were minimal at 2,000 bpd, flat from the prior week and compared above zero imports reported in the same period of last year. 

Crude oil inventories in PADD 2 declined by 1.1 million bbl to 103.0 million bbl in the week ending September 12. That compares with 99.5 million bbl at this time last year.

EIA: PADD 1 Distillate Inventory Up by 1M Bbl on Week

East Coast PADD 1 distillate inventories rose in the week ending September 12. Gasoline stocks fell, while jet fuel supplies edged higher and crude oil inventories posted a small gain, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data released on Wednesday (9/17).

PADD 1 distillate inventories increased by 1.0 million bbl to 31.3 million bbl in the week ending September 12, which is 3.9 million bbl lower than the volume recorded in the same week of the previous year. The region imported 264,000 bpd of distillates, down slightly from 267,000 bpd the prior week, compared with 204,000 bpd in the same week of last year.

PADD 1 gasoline stocks declined by 1.1 million bbl to 54.6 million bbl in the reference week, a 3.8 million bbl drop year-over-year. Gasoline imports fell to 346,000 bpd, down from 503,000 bpd the prior week and below the 364,000 bpd recorded in the same week of last year.

East Coast jet fuel inventories edged up by 300,000 bbl to 10.6 million bbl in the respective week. That was 1.8 million bbl below the volume reported in the corresponding week of last year. Regional jet fuel imports rose to 78,000 bpd from 72,000 bpd week-over-week, but were lower than the 83,000 bpd in the same period of the previous year.

Crude oil inventories in PADD 1 increased by 200,000 bbl to 7.4 million bbl in the week ending September 12, compared with 8.0 million bbl reported during the same week of the prior year.

EIA: PADD 3 Inventory Reports 1.7M Bbl Draw on Week

Gulf Coast PADD 3 gasoline inventories showed the steepest fall in the week ending September 12, followed by jet fuel and crude oil, while distillate supplies surged in the region, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration data released on Wednesday (9/17).
Gasoline inventories fell by 1.7 million bbl to 80.2 million bbl in the reference week, down by 2.7 million bbl compared to the volume reported in the same week of last year. Gasoline imports declined to 45,000 bpd from 67,000 bpd and were lower than the 68,000 bpd recorded year-over-year.
Distillate stocks climbed by 2.8 million bbl to 47.0 million bbl in the reference week. Supplies were 3.2 million bbl above the 43.8 million bbl recorded in the same period of the prior year. Distillate imports were unchanged week-over-week, consistent with the same week of last year.

Jet fuel inventories fell by 200,000 bbl to 13.0 million bbl last week That is 1.0 million bbl lower than the 14.0 million bbl reported last year. Jet imports were steady on a weekly basis and year-over-year.
Crude oil inventories fell by 7.5 million bbl to 237.4 million bbl in the week ending September 12. That is 3.4 million bbl below the 240.8 million bbl recorded in the same week of the prior year. Crude imports climbed to 1.190 million bpd from 779,000 bpd but were below 1.219 million bpd in the same period of the previous year.

EIA: Crude Draws 9.3M bbl, Distillates Build, Gasoline Falls

U.S. crude oil inventories fell sharply in the week ending September 12 and gasoline stocks declined too, while distillate fuel oil supplies posted a third consecutive weekly build, the Energy Information Administration reported Wednesday (9/17).

Commercial crude stocks decreased by 9.3 million bbl to 415.4 million bbl. That  was 2.2 million bbl below the volume reported during the same week last year. Inventories at Cushing, Oklahoma, the delivery point for NYMEX West Texas Intermediate futures, slipped by 300,000 bbl to 23.6 million bbl.

Distillate fuel oil inventories increased week-over-week by 4.0 million bbl to 124.7 million bbl, 0.5 million bbl below last year’s level, the EIA data showed. The build marked the third consecutive weekly increase.

Motor gasoline inventories decreased by 2.3 million bbl to 217.6 million bbl, 4.0 million bbl below the comparable week in 2024. Blending components were little changed at 202.8 million bbl, while conventional gasoline stocks declined by 1.5 million bbl.

Refinery utilization stood at 93.3% of capacity, down from 94.9% the prior week but above the 92.1% rate during the same period last year. Crude runs averaged 16.424 million bpd, down by 394,000 bpd week-on-week.

Crude exports averaged 5.277 million bpd, compared with 2.745 million bpd the previous week and 4.159 million bpd last year. Crude imports fell by 579,000 bpd to 5.692 million bpd, 630,000 bpd below last year levels.

Total products supplied over the last four weeks averaged 20.308 million bpd, up by 203,000 bpd from the same period last year. Gasoline demand averaged 8.810 million bpd, up by 302,000 bpd from the prior week and 34,000 bpd above the last year level. Distillate demand averaged 3.621 million bpd, up by 244,000 bpd from the previous week but 177,000 bpd below the same week in 2024.

EIA: US Ethanol Output Down 4.5%, Stocks Dip Y-o-Y

The Energy Information Administration reported on Wednesday that overall ethanol production in the United States averaged 1.055 million bpd, down 50,000 bpd week-on-week and 6,000 bpd, or 0.6% higher than in the same week last year. Four-week average output at 1.076 million bpd was 11,000 bpd above the same four weeks last year.
Midwest ethanol production averaged 997,000 bpd, down 50,000 bpd week-on-week and 11,000 bpd, or 1.1% higher than in the same week last year. Four-week average output at 1.020 million bpd was 15,000 bpd above the same four weeks last year.
Ethanol blending activity in the U.S. averaged 922,000 bpd, up 42,000 bpd week-on-week and 14,000 bpd, or 1.5% higher than in the same week last year. Four-week average blending demand at 913,000 bpd was 1,000 bpd below the same four weeks last year.
Blender inputs at the East Coast were down 1,000 bpd on the week while inputs in the Midwest were up 3,000 bpd, up 9,000 bpd on the Gulf Coast and up 30,000 bpd on the West Coast.
Domestic ethanol inventories ended the week at 22.602 million bbl, down 235,000 bbl week-on-week and 1.183 million bbl, or 5.2% lower than in the same week last year.
East Coast PADD 1 inventories ended the week at 6.854 million bbl, up 152,000 bbl week-on-week and 763,000 bbl, or 11.1% lower than in the same week last year.
Midwest PADD 2 inventories ended the week at 9.341 million bbl, down 366,000 bbl week-on-week and 218,000 bbl, or 2.3% lower than in the same week last year.
Gulf Coast PADD 3 inventories ended the week at 3.504 million bbl, down 105,000 bbl week-on-week and 462,000 bbl, or 13.2% lower than in the same week last year.
West Coast PADD 5 inventories ended the week at 2.531 million bbl, up 70,000 bbl week-on-week and 290,000 bbl, or 11.5% higher than in the same week last year.

EIA: Propane/Propylene Stocks Up 1.3% W/W

The Energy Information Administration reported on Wednesday total domestic propane/propylene stocks of 98.931 million bbl in the week ending September 12, up 1.297 million bbl week-on-week and 1.371 million bbl, or 1.4% higher than in the same week last year.
Data show propane/propylene exports last week averaged 1.972 million bpd, up 81,000 bpd week-on-week and 308,000 bpd, or 15.6%, higher than in the same week last year.
Implied demand for propane/propylene in the United States averaged 852,000 bpd, down 15,000 bpd week-on-week and 480,000 bpd, or 56.3% lower than in the same week last year.
EIA reports domestic propane/propylene production averaged 2.886 million bpd, up 26,000 bpd week-on-week and 214,000 bpd, or 7.4% higher than in the same week last year.
East Coast PADD 1 inventories ended the week at 8.633 million bbl, up 725,000 bbl week-on-week and 811,000 bbl, or 9.4% higher than in the same week last year.
Midwest PADD 2 inventories ended the week at 26.055 million bbl, down 268,000 bbl week-on-week and 1.479 million bbl, or 5.7% lower than in the same week last year.
Gulf Coast PADD 3 inventories ended the week at 59.062 million bbl, up 888,000 bbl week-on-week and 2.812 million bbl, or 4.8% higher than in the same week last year.
Combined inventories in the Rockies and the West Coast, PADD 4 and 5, ended the week at 5.181 million bbl, down 47,000 bbl week-on-week and 773,000 bbl, or 14.9% lower than in the same week last year.