U.S. crude oil stockpiles soared unexpectedly last week as imports climbed and production edged higher to a new record, the Energy Information Administration said on Wednesday. Refined fuel inventories fell more than expected, with gasoline drawing down for a seventh straight week, as refining rates remained low, the data from the statistical arm of the Department of Energy showed. Crude inventories rose by 7.2 million barrels in the week to March 29, compared with analysts’ expectations for a decrease of 425,000 barrels. Most of the build was in the Gulf Coast, where stockpiles rose by 8.7 million barrels, the biggest increase in the region since September 2017. Crude stocks at the Cushing, Oklahoma, delivery hub rose by 201,000 barrels, the EIA said. […]