The U. S. Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday that U. S. crude oil inventories rose by 1.7 million barrels in the week ending June 11.

Crude inventories increased to 363.1 million barrels during the week with supplies remaining above the upper limit of the average range for this time of year, the agency said.

It has also been reported that Gasoline inventories for the week fell by 600,000 barrels to 218.4 million barrels. Stockpiles of gasoline are also above the upper limit of the average range.

Supplies of distillate fuels, which include heating oil, rose by 1.8 million barrels to 154.8 million barrels.

The energy agency further reported that inventories of finished gasoline rose, while gasoline blending components fell during the week.

Using a four-week rolling average, demand for motor gasoline, averaging 9.2 million barrels per day, fell 0.7 percent from a year ago, while demand for distillate fuel, at 4 million barrels per day, is up 12.5 percent from a year ago.

The EIA also said that demand for jet fuel is 3.5 percent higher than a year ago. (With inputs from Agencies)