Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Oil Prices Fall as US Crude Inventories Rise
Oil prices went down on Wednesday morning.
A US industry group said American crude oil supplies grew by 7.14 million barrels.
Traders had expected supplies to shrink instead.
Bigger supplies can make oil seem less scarce, which can push prices lower.
Some reports said the increase may be linked to oil released from US emergency reserves.
Official US inventory data was expected later that day.
At the same time, a pipeline attack affecting Saudi Arabia created concern about possible supply disruptions.
Reports disagreed on whether repairs would take five to six weeks or allow partial pumping sooner.
Brent November futures fell 0.84% to $107.84, while WTI October futures declined 1.15% to $104.61.
September and October crude futures on India’s MCX fell 1.82% and 1.92%, respectively, during early trading.
The American Petroleum Institute reported a 7.14-million-barrel increase in US crude inventories for the week ending September 11.
Markets had expected US crude inventories to decline by about 1.8 million barrels.
Oil prices were also influenced by reports that Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port loadings were suspended after a Houthi attack shut the East-West pipeline.
- Who
- Oil traders, the American Petroleum Institute, the US Energy Information Administration, Saudi Arabia, and Houthi forces were involved in or reported in connection with the developments.
- What
- Crude oil prices declined after US crude inventories reportedly increased, while a Saudi pipeline disruption provided a competing supply concern.
- When
- Wednesday, September 16, 2026; the inventory figures covered the week ending September 11.
- Where
- The inventory data concerned the United States, while the reported pipeline disruption affected Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu port and East-West pipeline.
- Why
- Prices fell primarily because US crude inventories rose far more than markets expected, although possible Saudi supply disruptions added uncertainty.
Bearish Supply View
Disruption Risk View
Effect of US inventories
Bearish Supply View
The reported 7.14-million-barrel increase, compared with expectations for a decline, suggests greater available supply and put downward pressure on prices.
Disruption Risk View
Market reports suggested the increase may partly reflect continued releases from the US strategic petroleum reserves, so it may not represent normal supply conditions.
Saudi pipeline outlook
Bearish Supply View
The reported pipeline shutdown could be temporary, and one source said partial pumping might resume while repairs continue.
Disruption Risk View
The suspension of loadings at Yanbu creates a potential supply disruption, with another source estimating repairs could take five to six weeks.
- Brent futures
- November futures were $107.84, down 0.84%.
- WTI futures
- October futures were $104.61, down 1.15%.
- US inventory change
- Crude inventories increased by 7.14 million barrels for the week ending September 11.
- Market expectation
- Markets had expected inventories to decline by about 1.8 million barrels.
- Saudi pipeline
- The East-West pipeline was reportedly shut after a Houthi attack, suspending oil loadings at Yanbu port.
- Official data
- US Energy Information Administration inventory figures were expected later on Wednesday.