U.S. crude stockpiles fall, products post surprise build, EIA says
China April oil imports rise 5.45 from a year ago

LONDON, May 9 Reuters Oil prices rose on Thursday as falling U.S. crude inventories amid rising refinery intake and a rise in Chinese imports last month supported higher demand expectations for the world39;s two largest crude consuming nations.

Brent crude futures for July rose 64 cents, or 0.8, to 84.22 a barrel by 0812 GMT. U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude for June was up 66 cents, or 0.8 to 79.65 per barrel.

Oil markets were buoyed by a largerthanexpected draw in the U.S. inventory data. The improved China39;s trade balance data added to the upside momentum, said Tina Teng, an independent market analyst, adding that crude prices may continue to track economic factors looking ahead.

Crude inventories in the U.S., the world39;s biggest oil user, fell last week by 1.4 million barrels to 459.5 million, according to the Energy Information Administration, more than analysts39; expectations for a 1.1 millionbarrel draw. Stockpiles fell as refinery activity increased by 307,000 barrels per day bpd in the period.

This caused gasoline stocks to swell by more than 900,000 barrels to 228 million, while distillate stockpiles including diesel and heating oil rose by 600,000 barrels to 116.4 million.

The market shrugged off the builds in gasoline and distillate fuels as refiners ramp up for the upcoming driving season, analysts at ANZ Research wrote in a…