U.S. crude oil stockpiles fell unexpectedly last week as imports dropped and refining rates jumped, while gasoline and distillate inventories also declined, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday. Crude inventories fell 2.6 million barrels in the week to March 16, compared with analysts’ expectations for an increase of 2.6 million barrels. Stocks at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery hub for U.S. crude futures rose 905,000 barrels, EIA said. U.S. crude futures extended gains after the report, and were up $1.26 a barrel at $64.80 by 10:58 a.m. EDT [1458 GMT). Brent crude increased $1.64 to $69.06 a barrel. “The report was supportive of prices, as a large jump up in the refinery utilization rate and lowered crude oil imports combined to cause a […]