Crude Oil Inventories Show Increase

U.S. commercial crude oil inventories rose 2.7 million barrels last week to total 319.1 million, the Energy Department said Wednesday.

That’s 12 percent above the level a year ago.

Motor gasoline stocks were up 1 million barrels at 196.9 million barrels. Distillate supplies fell less than expected, down 200,000 barrels at 120.9 million.

December crude was down 15 cents at $59.70 a barrel. December unleaded gas was down 1.36 cents at $1.59 a gallon. December heating oil lost 1.25 cents to $1.7925 a gallon.