U.S. commercial crude oil inventories fell by 3.03 million barrels last week, defying consensus expectations for little change, the Energy Information Administration said. The draw trimmed total stockpiles to 423.7 million barrels, about 6 percent below the five-year seasonal average and the first decline in three weeks. Fuel inventories tightened as well: gasoline stocks dropped 1.32 million barrels and distillate supplies slipped 565,000 barrels, both against forecasts for modest builds. Refinery utilization rose 1.5 percentage points, while holdings at the Cushing, Oklahoma delivery hub increased 453,000 barrels. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve added 235,000 barrels, leaving overall petroleum inventories—including refined products—up 2.29 million barrels on the week. In the natural-gas market, working gas in storage climbed by 7 billion cubic feet, less than the 11 bcf increase analysts expected. Total inventories stood at 3,130 bcf—137 bcf below the level a year ago yet 173 bcf above the five-year average, according to separate EIA data. Economic figures released a day later showed June wholesale sales rising 0.3 percent, triple the median estimate, while inventories edged up 0.1 percent. The inventories-to-sales ratio tightened to 1.30 from 1.35 a year earlier, suggesting firms are keeping stock levels lean even as demand improves.