U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude ​rose 20 cents, or 0.2%, to $83.40, heading for a fifth daily gain. US CRUDE STOCKPILE DATAInvestor focus was also turning to U.S. crude inventory data due later in the day. Market sources citing American Petroleum Institute data said U.S. crude inventories rose sharply, while gasoline and distillate stocks fell. For longer-term supply, the EIA expected significant disruptions to Middle East crude ​supplies to persist through the end ‌of 2027. The EIA said it expects 2026 Brent crude oil prices to average $86.81 ​a barrel, and WTI to average $80.88.