(Adds API data in eighth paragraph.)

 
   By Nicole Friedman 
 

NEW YORK--U.S. crude-oil stocks are expected to decline in data due Wednesday from the Department of Energy, according to a survey of analysts by The Wall Street Journal.

Estimates from 11 analysts surveyed showed that U.S. oil inventories are projected to have fallen by 900,000 barrels, on average, in the week ended Aug. 15.

Nine analysts expect crude stockpiles to fall, while two expect a rise. Forecasts range from a rise of 3 million barrels to a drop of 2.5 million barrels.

The closely watched survey from the Energy Information Administration is due at 10:30 a.m. EDT Wednesday.

Gasoline stockpiles are expected to fall 1.3 million barrels, according to analysts. Ten analysts expect a decline, with one expecting a rise. Estimates range from a rise of 500,000 barrels to a drop of 2 million barrels.

Stocks of distillates, which include heating oil and diesel, are expected to decline by 700,000 barrels. Seven analysts expect a drop, while three see a gain and one expects no change. Forecasts range from a drop of 2.8 million barrels to a gain of 1 million barrels.

Refinery use is seen falling 0.3 percentage point to 91.3% of capacity, based on EIA data. Nine analysts expect a decline, one expects no change and one didn't provide an estimate. Forecasts range from unchanged to a drop of 0.6 point.

The American Petroleum Institute, an industry group, said late Tuesday that its own data for the same week showed a 1.4 million-barrel drop in crude stocks, according to industry sources. The API also said that gasoline supplies fell by 2.1 million barrels and stocks of distillates fell 568,000 barrels, the sources said.

 
                                     Crude   Gasoline    Distillates   Refinery Use 
Citi Futures Perspective             -1.5     -2.0          unch           -0.5 
Confluence Investment Management     -2.5     -1.0           1.0           unch 
EBW AnalyticsGroup                   -0.5     -1.0          -1.0           -0.1 
Energy Management Institute          -1.6     -1.0           0.2           -0.1 
Excel Futures                         2.4     -1.7          -2.8           -0.6 
IAF Advisors                         -2.5      0.5          -2.0            n/a 
Jefferies Bache LLC                  -2.5     -0.9          -1.0           -0.2 
Oil Outlooks                         -2.0     -1.5          -0.5           -0.5 
Price Futures Group                   3.0     -2.0          -1.0           -0.5 
Ritterbusch and Associates           -2.0     -1.6          -0.4           -0.2 
Schneider Electric                   -0.5     -1.8           0.2           -0.4 
 
AVERAGE                              -0.9     -1.3          -0.7           -0.3 
 

(Figures in millions of barrels except for refining capacity, which is reported in percentage points. For analysts providing forecasts in a range, the average of the upper and lower ends of the range is used.)

Write to Nicole Friedman at nicole.friedman@wsj.com