05:04 AM EST, 02/20/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Crude oil prices fell slightly early on Thursday as U.S. crude oil inventories continued to increase.

Brent crude edged 0.1% lower to US$75.96/barrel and West Texas Intermediate crude fell 0.5% to US$71.91/b at last look.

Official oil inventory data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration is due on Thursday, but market sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures said U.S. crude stocks rose by 3.34 million barrels in the week ended Feb. 14, Reuters said in a Thursday report.

Analysts have forecast an increase of 2.2 million barrels in U.S. crude oil stockpiles. If the EIA reports another increase, energy firms would have added crude into storage for four weeks in a row for the first time since April, the report said.

Increased in crude inventory typically indicate lower demand for the commodity.