New York (Platts)--6Feb2008

Total US gasoline stocks rose 3.6 million barrels to 227.487 million
barrels the week ending February 1, the highest level in 14 years, according
to data from the Energy information Administration.

A steady stream of imports and a tapering off in demand were behind this
week's stock build.

Gasoline imports inched down 12,000 b/d to 1.144 million b/d, but given
the current pace of demand were more than sufficient to supplement low
refinery output.

Gasoline demand edged down 24,000 b/d to 8.916 million b/d, but on a
four-week moving average demand was 1% above year-ago levels.

Gasoline demand has been tailing off since the start of 2008, evidence
that the US consumer is getting battered by high prices at the pump and a
slowing economy.

--Linda Rafield, linda_rafield@platts.com