producing U.S. Gulf of Mexico in September. "Imports are back at comfortable levels so any concerns about crude availability have been dissipated considerably," said Jim Ritterbusch, President of Ritterbusch and Associates. The U.S. crude build was accompanied by a 900,000 barrels fall in distillate stocks, including heating oil and diesel fuel, to 115.7 million, 12 percent below last year, the EIA said. U.S. distillate demand is running 8.1 percent above last year as solid economic growth bolsters diesel consumption. Traders expected supplies to improve as refineries come back on stream following seasonal maintenance work. "The market believes when refiners return from turnarounds, that they are going to push distillate output to a record, thus easing concerns of a supply shortage this winter," said Ed Silliere, analyst, Energy Merchant Corp, New York.
