Crude oil fell before a report today forecast to show inventories in the U.S., the world’s largest energy consumer, rose from their highest level since 1990 as the recession reduced demand. Crude oil stockpiles probably climbed by 2.5 million barrels in the week ended April 17 from 366.7 million the previous week, the highest since September 1990, according to a Bloomberg survey before today’s Energy Department report. Crude oil for June delivery fell 64 cents, or 1.3 percent, to $47.91 a barrel at 9:00 a.m. on the New York Mercantile Exchange. The Energy Department will probably show that gasoline stockpiles dropped 700,000 barrels from 216.5 million the prior week, according to the Bloomberg survey. Supplies of distillate fuel, a category that includes heating oil and diesel, probably fell by 1 million barrels from 139.6 million barrels. Brent crude oil for June settlement declined 76 cents, or 1.5 percent, to $49.06 a barrel on London’s ICE Futures Europe Exchange.

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