The Countdown to a Major Oil Price Surge Has Begun
By Kurt Cobb - Jun 08, 2026, 11:00 AM CDT
Commercial oil inventories are being drawn down at an unusually rapid pace to compensate for supply losses linked to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
The world could soon approach operational inventory thresholds where supply chains become stressed, volatility rises, and fuel shortages emerge.
Markets remain overly optimistic about a quick resolution, leaving oil prices vulnerable to a sharp upward repricing.
U.S. Gasoline Inventories Are Falling at a Record Pace
By Robert Rapier - Jun 08, 2026, 9:00 AM CDT
U.S. gasoline inventories fell by 47.5 million barrels between early February and late May, a drawdown that is unprecedented in EIA weekly data going back to 1990.
Strong refinery utilization and relatively flat gasoline demand have not prevented inventories from declining, suggesting other factors are contributing to the draw.
Elevated exports, tight global energy markets, and low distillate inventories have reduced the margin for error heading into the summer driving season.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:You don't believe that the US strategic reserves have been drained and that the US could actually run out of gas?
Hmm, what happened last time we had an GOP administration who threw away all pandemic prep plans from all previous administrations?
Anonymous wrote:You don't believe that the US strategic reserves have been drained and that the US could actually run out of gas?
Anonymous wrote:US has plenty of home drilled oil. Surely US corporations wouldn't sell that oil to foreigners!