Crude inventories at Cushing, Oklahoma stayed below 20 million barrels from the week ending June 19 through the week ending July 10, the lowest since 2014. The drawdown extended an eight-week decline as disruptions tied to the Strait of Hormuz crisis boosted demand for U.S. crude exports, tightening WTI prompt supply. The Brent-WTI spread briefly turned negative twice, leaving WTI trading at a rare premium, while the EIA separately warned that “tank bottom” barrels are not usable and can make deliverable supply tighter than reported stocks suggest.