API reports small build in US crude stocks

London (Quantum Commodity Intelligence) - U.S. crude oil and distillate stocks slightly climbed week, while gasoline inventories fell, according to media reports of the weekly U.S American Petroleum Institute statistics.

Crude stocks rose by 436,000 barrels in the week ended April 16.

Gasoline inventories fell by 1.62 million barrels and distillate stocks rose by 655,000 million barrels, the data showed.

The official government inventory report is due later Wednesday.

Analyst expected to show weekly U.S. crude stocks fell 2.975 million, distillate stocks fell 956,000 barrels, and gasoline stocks rose 464,000 barrels last week in the US Energy Information Administration statistics at 14.30 GMT.