Oil Prices Continue to Drop as US Crude Stockpiles Surge

Oil prices fell to near three-month lows as reports indicated rising US crude inventories, with Brent trading around $82 a barrel and West Texas Intermediate below $78. The American Petroleum Institute reported a 2.5 million barrel increase in stockpiles, contributing to market bearishness. The upcoming OPEC+ meeting will determine whether to extend supply curbs amid a contango market structure signaling increased supply. Despite geopolitical risks, such as recent drone strikes on Russian refineries, oil futures have weakened since mid-April.