Crude oil inventories in the United States increased by 2.5 million barrels in the week that ended May 17, marking a smaller-than-expected buildup, private data from the American Petroleum Institute (API) reportedly showed on Tuesday, Paralel.Az reports citing BBN.

During the reported week, gasoline stockpiles saw a jump of 2 million barrels, while reserves in Cushing, Oklahoma, allegedly grew by 1.77 million barrels. Meanwhile, distillate inventories are said to have declined by 320,000 barrels.