SAN FRANCISCO (MarketWatch) -- Crude-oil futures fell nearly $4 Wednesday, as data showed U.S. inventories fell less than expected and as concerns faded that Hurricane Dolly would pose much of a threat to energy infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico. Crude for September delivery, the new front-month contract, fell $3.98 cents, or 3.1%, to settle at $124.44 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. U.S. crude inventories fell 1.6 million in the week ended July 18, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported. Analysts surveyed by Platts had expected a decline of 1.9 million barrels. The hurricane is not expected to have a major impact on oil and natural gas operations in the Gulf, weather analysts said.
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