Cushing has bounced off its lowest level since 2018.

Tanks at the WTI delivery point closed the week at 21.0 million barrels, a build of 2.4 million that leaves the hub 1.0 million above the level the trade treats as tank bottoms.

EIA print published 5 August 2026 · Read written 5 August 2026. Figures as published that week.

Crude in tank

21.0 M bbl

Week ending 31 Jul 2026

Change on the week

+2.4 M bbl

First build in three weeks

Tanks filled

21.4%

Of 98 million bbl capacity

Against tank bottoms

+1.0 M bbl

Floor taken at 20 million

Our satellite read, as published that week

We measure 20.3 million barrels in tank on 1 August: 20.7% of capacity, and 0.7 million below the 31 July print. That pass falls inside the week ending 7 August, which the EIA publishes on 12 August.

20.3 M bbl

80% band 19.2 to 21.3

Satellite estimate · 1 Aug 2026

Chart of crude oil inventories at Cushing, Oklahoma, weekly over three years to the week ending 31 July 2026: 21.0 million barrels, against a 20 million barrel tank bottoms line, with the Cushing Watch satellite read of 20.3 million on 1 August. — Cushing, Oklahoma crude oil inventories to the week ending 31 July 2026. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration; satellite read: Cushing Watch. Free to republish with credit to Cushing Watch and a link to this page. Full-size PNG

The read

The hub is off its low, still close to the floor

Nine weeks ago Cushing held 22.4 million barrels. It now holds 21.0 million, after a build of 2.4 million in the week to 31 July. The nine-week draw is 1.4 million, and the hub sits 1.0 million above the 20 million floor.

The official series has already crossed back above that line. Our 1 August read is 20.3 million, 0.7 million below the 31 July print. Whether the build holds is the question for the 12 August print.