According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, at the end of November, U.S. distillate inventories fell to 145.8 million barrels, which was back within the previous five-year (2015–19) range for the first time since 8 May. Diesel demand dropped to its low the most in June and fuel inventories started to build. By late July, inventory reached 180 million barrels, just 3 percent lower than the historic record of December 1982.

Distillate inventories started the year near the bottom of the five-year range and briefly fell lower than the range in March and April. From late May through mid-September, inventories remained above 174 million barrels. Since mid-September, inventories have been declining and are now within the five...