How U.S. crude oil inventories rose to their highest level ever (MarketWatch)

Myra P. Saefong / MarketWatch

U.S. crude-oil inventories have climbed to their highest weekly level on record at the Energy Information Administration, and not just because of rising domestic production. A number of factors, including strong oil imports, higher exploration and production company spending, and a slowdown in demand have combined to lift total commercial crude stockpiles to 518.1 million barrels for the week ended Feb. 10 , according to EIA data dating back to August 1982. That figure tops the former record of 512.095 million barrels for the week ended April 29, 2016.

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