Crude oil production in the U.S. fell below 9 million barrels per day (mbpd), according to the U.S.' Energy Information Administration (EIA) data Wednesday.
As low oil prices continue to hurt oil producers in the U.S. and force them to shut wells and reduce capital expenditures, the country's domestic crude output fell below the 9-mbpd-mark -- a level below the threshold that was last seen on September 2014.
Domestic crude output in the country was 8.98 mbpd for the week ending April 8, according to the EIA. This represents a 31 thousand barrels a day decline from the previous week.
Meanwhile, weekly crude oil inventories in the U.S. increased by 6.6 million barrels, or 0.5 percent, during the same period.
The market expectation of inventories was a rise of 1.85 million barrels, while inventories had increased by 4.94 million barrels during the previous week.
Strategic Petroleum Reserves remained unchanged at 695.1 million barrels.
In addition, commercial crude oil imports rose by 686 thousand during the week ending April 8 to reach 7.94 mbpd, from 7.25 mbpd the week before.
By Ovunc Kutlu in New York
Anadolu Agency
ovunc.kutlu@aa.com.tr
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