Commercial crude stockpiles rose by 3.5 million barrels. Analysts had predicted inventories would increase by 1.1 million barrels.

ConocoPhillips can generate that much cash at an oil price below $80 because of its low cost of supply. It has about 20 billion barrels of resources with a cost of supply of $40 per barrel or lower, with an average cost of supply of $32 per barrel. With crude prices in the $70s, ConocoPhillips can produce a lot of cash.

Oil prices fell on Wednesday, with the U.S. benchmark settling at its lowest year to date, after domestic crude stockpiles in the world's top petroleum producer and consumer rose more than expected last week.

Oil prices steadied on Wednesday as investors weighed the impact of potential U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports, while largely shrugging off an increase in U.S. weekly crude inventory. Brent crude futures fell 2 cents to $77.

Oil prices fell on Wednesday, following a rise in U.S. crude stockpiles and easing worries over Libyan supply, while focus turned to potential U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican imports. Brent crude futures were down 59 cents,