Though generous inventories have buffered most of the world from an oil shock due to the Mideast conflict, faster-than-anticipated use of stockpiles could mean that the risk has only been delayed

NEW YORK — Oil stockpiles in the world's largest economies are headed toward the lowest levels since at least 2003 as inventories are drawn down at...

Global oil inventories are being depleted at a record pace, as governments draw down strategic reserves and stored crude to offset lost supply, while U.S. fuel stocks have fallen…