Gas prices are continuing their gradual seasonal decline. Low crude oil prices, lackluster demand for gas, and winter-blend fuel are the major drivers of lower prices. For the week, the national average for regular loses three cents to $3.10 a gallon. The Oregon average also falls three cents to $3.61 a gallon.
The Oregon average is at its lowest price since February of this year while the national average is at its lowest price since January. This week, only one Oregon county still has an average above $4 a gallon: Wallowa ($4.14), same as a week ago.
“Gas prices are only a few cents away from the lowest prices we’ve seen so far this year. AAA expects pump prices to keep falling, barring escalating tensions in the Middle East or some disruption in supplies,” says Marie Dodds, public affairs director for AAA Oregon/Idaho.
The Oregon average began 2024 at $3.79 a gallon compared to $3.61 today. Its lowest price so far this year is $3.58 on February 14 and the highest is nearly $4.51 on May 1. The national average started the year at $3.11 and is at $3.10 today. Its lowest price so far this year is just under $3.07 on January 15 and the highest is just under $3.68 on April 19.
Gas prices typically drop in the fall, due to the switch from summer-blend to winter-blend fuel, which costs less to produce. The switch starts in September. Many areas, including Oregon, can sell winter-blend fuel starting September 15. However, Northern and Southern California require summer-blend fuel through October 31.
Meanwhile, crude oil production in the U.S. remains at a record high. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reports that crude production in this country is holding steady at 13.5 million barrels per day for the week ending Oct. 25. This is the third consecutive week that U.S. output has been at this level The previous record was 13.4 million barrels per day first reached in August. The U.S. has been the top producer of crude oil in the world since 2018 and has been increasing its oil production since about 2009.
The U.S. price of crude oil (West Texas Intermediate) has been between about $67 and $74 per barrel since mid-October. Prices rose to start this week as markets wait on U.S. presidential election results as well as a decision by OPEC+ to extend its production cut of 2.2 million barrels per day until December, due to relatively low oil prices and lackluster demand. OPEC+ had said it would boost its output starting in October but has delayed any increases.
Crude prices are impacted by economic news as well as geopolitical events around the world including the unrest in the Middle East and the war between Russia and Ukraine. In addition, production cuts by OPEC+ have tightened global crude oil supplies, which will continue to impact prices. Hurricane season can also impact crude oil prices, if a major storm impacts infrastructure in the Gulf of Mexico. Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.
The price of crude oil reached the year-to-date high of nearly $87 per barrel on April 5. Major drivers of elevated crude prices have been the unrest in the Middle East, the decision by OPEC+ to keep oil production cuts in place, and Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries. Russia is a top global oil producer, behind the U.S. and Saudi Arabia, and the refinery attacks have reduced output. Crude prices have been volatile after the attack on Israel by Hamas in October 2023. While Israel and the Palestinian territory are not oil producers, concerns remain that the conflict could spread in the Middle East, which could potentially impact crude production in other oil-producing nations in the region.
Crude oil is trading around $72 today compared to $67 a week ago and $81 a year ago. In 2023, West Texas Intermediate ranged between $63 and $95 per barrel. Crude reached recent highs of $123.70 on March 8, 2022, shortly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and $122.11 per barrel on June 8, 2022. The all-time high for WTI crude oil is $147.27 in July 2008.
Crude oil is the main ingredient in gasoline and diesel, so pump prices are impacted by crude prices on the global markets. On average, about 53% of what we pay for in a gallon of gasoline is for the price of crude oil, 11% is refining, 20% distribution and marketing, and 16% are taxes, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Demand for gasoline in the U.S. ticked up from 8.84 million b/d to 9.16 million b/d for the week ending October 25, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). This compares to 8.7 million b/d a year ago. Meanwhile, total domestic gasoline stocks fell from 213.6 million barrels to 210.9, while gasoline production decreased last week, averaging 9.7 million barrels daily compared to 9.95 million barrels daily the previous week.
As noted above, crude oil production in the U.S. holds steady at 13.5 million barrels per day, according to the EIA. This surpasses the previous record high of 13.4 million barrels per day last reached earlier this month and in August of this year. The U.S. produces more crude oil than any other country, according to the EIA.
Pump prices should continue to decline, if crude oil prices don’t rally again. Other drivers of lower pump prices are the usual seasonal factors of lackluster gasoline demand and cheaper winter-blend fuel.
Quick stats
Oregon is one of 47 states where prices are lower now than a week ago. New Mexico (-12 cents) has the largest week-over-week drop in the nation. Ohio (+4 cents) has the biggest week-over-week increase.
After eight weeks, Hawaii ($4.58) bumps California ($4.54) as the state with the most expensive gas in the nation. Washington ($4.02) is third. These are the three states with averages at or above $4 a gallon, same as a week ago. This week 22 states and the District of Columbia have averages in the $3 range. There are 25 states with an average in the $2 range this week.
The cheapest gas in the nation is in Oklahoma ($2.64) and Mississippi ($2.66). No state has had an average below $2 a gallon since January 7, 2021, when Mississippi and Texas were below that threshold. At the time, the COVID-19 pandemic drove significant declines in crude oil and gasoline demand in the U.S. and around the world.
The difference between the most expensive and least expensive states is $1.94 this week, compared to $190 a week ago.
Oregon is one of 46 states and the District of Columbia with lower prices now than a month ago. The national average is eight cents less and the Oregon average is five cents less than a month ago. Colorado (-26 cents) has the largest month-over-month drop in the nation. Georgia (+16 cents) has the largest monthly increase in the nation.
Oregon is one of 49 states and the District of Columbia with lower prices now than a year ago. The national average is 32 cents less and the Oregon average is 67 cents less than a year ago. This is the second-largest year-over-year drop in the nation. Nevada (-71 cents) has the largest year-over-year drop.
West Coast
The West Coast region continues to have the most expensive pump prices in the nation with six of the seven states in the top 10. It’s typical for the West Coast to have six or seven states in the top 10 as this region tends to consistently have fairly tight supplies, consuming about as much gasoline as is produced. In addition, this region is located relatively far from parts of the country where oil drilling, production and refining occurs, so transportation costs are higher. And environmental programs in this region add to the cost of production, storage and distribution.
Diesel
For the week, the national average edges down two cents to $3.56 a gallon. The record high is $5.816 set on June 19, 2022. The Oregon average also dips two cents to $3.91. The record high is $6.47 set on July 3, 2022. A year ago the national average for diesel was $4.41 and the Oregon average was $4.89.
Source: AAA