[U.S. diesel inventories have dropped to the lowest level in the same period in history] August 27, according to U.S. media reports on the 26th, U.S. diesel inventories have dropped to the lowest level in the same period in history. Diesel prices, already near record highs, are likely to rise further as demand for agricultural oil and winter heating increases. Data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration that day showed that U.S. distillate fuel oil (the main component of which is diesel) inventories in the week ending August 21 was 103.4 million barrels, a decrease of 2.2 million barrels from the previous week and about 14% lower than the average level for the same period in the past five years.