Cushing crude oil inventory
Crude oil tank levels at Cushing, Oklahoma, the delivery point for NYMEX WTI futures. Reported weekly by the U.S. EIA. The number traders watch first, because it is the deliverable supply behind the WTI price.
Cushing, Oklahoma crude storage holds 21.0M bbl as of July 31, 2026, up 12.7% week over week.
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Today's reading sits in the lower part of the EIA record going back to 2004. At the WTI delivery hub, a leaner Cushing means less crude is sitting against the futures contract.
Cushing inventory vs. WTI Crude price
August 13, 2021 to July 31, 2026
Weekly crude oil stocks at Cushing, OK (M bbl) vs. Daily WTI Spot Price FOB ($/bbl). Sources: U.S. EIA, FRED series DCOILWTICO.
Weekly crude oil stocks at Cushing, OK, in millions of barrels. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, Weekly Petroleum Status Report (series W_EPC0_SAX). Updated weekly.
Quick answers
- When did Cushing crude oil inventory last rise above 20M bbl?
- Cushing crude oil inventory rose above 20M bbl in the week ending July 31, 2026 and stands at 21.0M bbl as of July 31, 2026.
- When did Cushing crude oil inventory last fall below 25M bbl?
- Cushing crude oil inventory fell below 25M bbl in the week ending May 22, 2026 and stands at 21.0M bbl as of July 31, 2026.
- When did Cushing crude oil inventory last fall below 30M bbl?
- Cushing crude oil inventory fell below 30M bbl in the week ending April 24, 2026 and stands at 21.0M bbl as of July 31, 2026.
Cushing crude oil inventory: common questions
- What is the Cushing crude oil inventory?
- Cushing, Oklahoma is the physical delivery point for the NYMEX West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil futures contract. The Cushing inventory is the volume of crude oil held in tank farms there, reported weekly by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. It is the number traders watch first because it sets the deliverable supply behind the WTI price.
- Why does the Cushing oil inventory matter?
- Cushing is a pipeline crossroads with limited tank capacity, so its level shows how much crude is actually deliverable against WTI futures. When tanks run low the contract can trade tighter; when they fill up storage economics loosen. It is a supply gauge for the contract, not a forecast.
- How often is the Cushing inventory updated?
- The EIA publishes the figure every week in its Weekly Petroleum Status Report, typically Wednesday around 10:30 a.m. Eastern for the prior Friday's week. This page reads that same EIA series and shows the latest reading with its as-of date.
- What is operational tankage at Cushing?
- Tanks cannot be drained to zero; a working minimum of oil keeps lines and pumps operable. That floor is often called operational or minimum operating tankage, so a low reading is a tightness signal rather than an empty-tank event.