Cushing is rangebound, and our 25 August read turns lower.

Tanks at the WTI delivery point closed the week at 22.4 million barrels, a build of 1.2 million that leaves the hub 2.4 million above the level the trade treats as tank bottoms. Our 25 August satellite read has it back down at 20.7 million.

EIA print published 26 August 2026 · Read written 31 August 2026. Figures as published that week.

Crude in tank

22.4 M bbl

Week ending 21 Aug 2026

Change on the week

+1.2 M bbl

First build in two weeks

Tanks filled

22.9%

Of 98 million bbl capacity

Against tank bottoms

+2.4 M bbl

Floor taken at 20 million

Our satellite read, as published that week

We measure 20.7 million barrels in tank on 25 August: 21.1% of capacity, and 1.7 million below the 21 August print. That pass falls inside the week ending 28 August, which the EIA publishes on 2 September.

20.7 M bbl

80% band 19.6 to 21.7

Satellite estimate · 25 Aug 2026

Chart of crude oil inventories at Cushing, Oklahoma, weekly over three years to the week ending 21 August 2026: 22.4 million barrels, against a 20 million barrel tank bottoms line, with the Cushing Watch satellite read of 20.7 million on 25 August. — Cushing, Oklahoma crude oil inventories to the week ending 21 August 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

A range on the print, lower on the satellite

Nine weeks ago Cushing held 19.0 million barrels. It now holds 22.4 million, after a build of 1.2 million that followed a draw of 1.3 million the week before. The hub sits 2.4 million above the 20 million floor, having been 1.4 million below it in the week to 24 July.

The official series has been chopping in a range since it crossed back above that line. Our 25 August read is 20.7 million, 1.7 million under the 21 August print, which points to a draw on the week ending 28 August. That print lands on 2 September.