Commercial crude oil stockpiles in the United States declined by 6.2 million barrels last week, according to data released by the Energy Information Administration on Wednesday.

The inventory drop was substantially larger than expected, with analysts surveyed by The Wall Street Journal having predicted a decrease of only 100,000 barrels. Despite the significant decline, current stockpile levels remain approximately 1% above the five-year average for this time of year.

The inventory reduction coincided with record weekly crude oil exports from the United States. The combination of high export volumes and declining domestic stockpiles marked a notable shift in the country's energy trade position.

According to the EIA data, the United States became a net crude oil exporter on a weekly basis for the first time, reflecting the country's growing role as a major oil producer and exporter in global markets.

The development underscores the transformation of the U.S. energy sector, which has seen domestic oil production increase significantly in recent years due to advances in drilling technology and the expansion of shale oil operations.