record levels despite the slump in runs, and imports held at a healthy level," said Jim Ritterbusch of Ritterbusch and Associates. U.S. distillates output the week earlier hit a record average of 4.3 million barrels per day. Forecasts that the U.S. winter will turn chillier than usual toward the end of this month and into February have renewed fears of a possible winter supply crunch. Private forecasters EarthSat said the northeastern United States should experience a colder than normal February and that the first sustained chill was expected to start this weekend. U.S. crude oil stocks fell by 3 million barrels last week to 288.6 million, the EIA said. Stocks are around 7 percent above last year's levels. The output disruptions coincide with OPEC's implementation of its 1 million bpd output cuts from Jan. 1. Some OPEC members say the cartel will consider tightening supply at the meeting later this month if prices fall below $40 a barrel.
