EIA: Domestic Ethanol Output, Blending Demand Down on Week

OAKHURST, N.J. (DTN) -- Overall ethanol production in the United States averaged 1.11 million barrels per day (bpd) in the week ended Nov. 15, the Energy Information Administration reports, down 3,000 bpd week-on-week while 87,000 bpd, or 7.8%, higher than in the same week last year. Four-week average output at 1.102 million bpd was 61,000 bpd above the same four weeks last year.

Midwest ethanol production averaged 1.038 million bpd, down 12,000 bpd week-on-week while 75,000 bpd, or 7.2%, higher than in the same week last year. Four-week average output at 1.038 million bpd was 56,000 bpd above the same four weeks last year.

Ethanol blending activity in the U.S. averaged 892,000 bpd, down 17,000 bpd week-on-week yet 1,000 bpd, or 0.1%, higher than in the same week last year. Four-week average blending demand at 910,000 bpd was 13,000 bpd above the same four weeks last year.

Blender inputs at the East Coast were down 9,000 bpd on the week while inputs in the Midwest were down 1,000 bpd, down 4,000 bpd on the Gulf Coast and down 2,000 bpd on the West Coast.

Domestic ethanol inventories ended the week at 22.563 million bbl, up 524,000 bbl week-on-week and 911,000 bbl, or 4%, higher than in the same week last year.

East Coast PADD 1 inventories ended the week at 7.264 million bbl, up 86,000 bbl week-on-week and 784,000 bbl, or 10.8%, higher than in the same week last year.

Midwest PADD 2 inventories ended the week at 8.594 million bbl, up 363,000 bbl week-on-week and 247,000 bbl, or 2.9%, higher than in the same week last year.

Gulf Coast PADD 3 inventories ended the week at 4.185 million bbl, up 26,000 bbl week-on-week and 74,000 bbl, or 1.8%, higher than in the same week last year.

West Coast PADD 5 inventories ended the week at 2.14 million bbl, up 40,000 bbl week-on-week and 257,000 bbl, or 12%, lower than in the same week last year.