Total US petroleum deliveries, a measure of demand, increased 2.3% from April 2013 to average 19 million b/d this April, the highest April deliveries in 4 years, the American Petroleum Institute said in its monthly statistical report. “April brought strong year-over-year growth in both the production and refining sectors,” said John Felmy, API chief economist. “The oil and natural gas industry continues to provide a solid base for growth in the larger economy.” At nearly 8.3 million b/d, US crude oil production increased 12.6% from April 2013 to the highest level for the month since 1988. According to the latest reports from Baker Hughes Inc., the number of oil and gas rigs in the US in April was 1,835, up 32 units from March and was up 80 units from April 2013. This was the highest count since September 2012. Total imports in April averaged 10.1 million b/d, 0.6% […]