Thursday, 18 April 2019 12:23

National Average Jumps 10 Cents as Spring Maintenance Ramps Up for Refiners

National Average Jumps 10 Cents as Spring Maintenance Ramps Up for Refiners

Pump prices on the West Coast increased as much as 20 cents this past week, driving the national average up nearly 10 cents to $2.83 on the week. As stocks tighten out West due to unplanned and planned maintenance, California’s average jumped to $4.00, the most expensive state average this week and a price point not seen in the Golden State since July 2014.

“We are seeing very expensive gas prices for this time of year across the country,” said Jeanette Casselano, AAA spokesperson. “Motorists are seeing prices increase as gasoline stocks decreased substantially by 7.7 million bbl amid summer-like demand readings.”

Today’s national average is 3 cents more than last month and 12 cents more than a year ago.

Quick stats

The nation’s top 10 largest weekly increases are: California (+20 cents), Nevada (+18 cents), Missouri (+13 cents), Oregon (+12 cents), Alaska (+12 cents), Washington (+12 cents), Utah (+12 cents), Colorado (+12 cents), Idaho (+11 cents) and Kansas (+11 cents).
The nation’s top 10 least expensive markets are: Alabama ($2.50), Mississippi ($2.51), Arkansas ($2.52), South Carolina ($2.52), Louisiana ($2.54), Texas ($2.57), Virginia ($2.57), Oklahoma ($2.59), New Hampshire ($2.59) and Missouri ($2.60).

West Coast

Motorists in the West Coast region are paying the highest pump prices in the nation, with all of the region’s states landing on the nation’s top 10 most expensive list. California ($4.00) and Hawaii ($3.55) are the most expensive markets. Washington ($3.39), Oregon ($3.28), Nevada ($3.26), Alaska ($3.15) and Arizona ($2.97) follow. All prices in the region have increased on the week, with California (+20 cents) and Nevada (+18 cents) seeing the largest increases in the region and country.

The Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) recent weekly report, for the week ending on April 5, showed that West Coast gasoline stocks fell for a fourth consecutive week by nearly 2 million bbl from the previous week and now sit at 29.04 million bbl. Ongoing planned and unplanned refinery maintenance throughout the region continues to shrink stocks. Total levels are approximately 2.4 million bbl lower than this time last year and could fall further this week depending on refinery maintenance turnaround.

Rockies

Gas prices are 6 to 12 cents more expensive on the week in the Rockies with three states landing on the top 10 list of largest weekly jumps: Utah (+12 cents), Colorado (+11 cents) and Idaho (+11 cents). With the increases, Idaho ($2.75) carries the most expensive average in the region, but ranks as the 24th most expensive in the country. At $2.61, Utah and Wyoming carry the cheapest average in the region.

Compared to a month ago, state averages in the region are as much as 30-cents or more expensive: Idaho (+36 cents), Colorado (+34 cents), Montana (+31 cents), Utah (+30 cents), and Wyoming (+30 cents). However, compared to a year ago Utah and Idaho have cheaper averages.

Looking at the latest EIA report on refinery utilization and gasoline stocks, it’s likely that motorists in the region will continue to see gas prices increase. Regional stocks drew 235,000 bbl as regional refinery utilization dropped 90.5 percent to 83.6 percent. At 6.7 million bbl, gasoline stocks are at their lowest level of the year and lowest point since October 2018.

Mid-Atlantic and Northeast

As the region sees gasoline stocks tighten on the week, a handful of Mid-Atlantic and Northeast states saw significant increases at the pump: Pennsylvania (+9 cents), Tennessee (+8 cents), Rhode Island (+7 cents) and Connecticut (+7 cents). With this past week’s increases Pennsylvania ($2.97) and Washington, D.C. ($2.92) inch closer to the $3/gallon mark and are on the top list for most expensive averages in the country.

Year-over-year, most states in the region have more expensive gas price averages except for Maine (-3 cents), New Hampshire (-1 cent) and Rhode Island (-1 cent). Whereas Delaware ($2.60) and Massachusetts ($2.65) have the same price compared to this time last year.

With a 3.2 million bbl draw, the region saw the largest of any in the country for the week ending April 5, according to EIA data. Total stocks now sit at 60.2 million bbl, which is the lowest level of the year, but on par with levels this time last year. Regional refinery utilization remains at 79 percent, but that is expected to increase throughout this month.

Great Lakes and Central States

With a dime or more increase, Missouri (+12 cents) and Kansas (+10 cents) had the largest one week increases among all Great Lakes and Central states and also both land on the top 10 list for largest weekly increases in the country. Within the region, gas prices range from $2.94 in Illinois to $2.60 in Missouri.

Gasoline stocks have been consistently tightening in the Great Lakes and Central States since last January. At that time stocks measured at 61.5 million bbl, but the latest EIA report shows total levels today at 52.2 million bbl. This – as well as regional refinery maintenance and the switchover to summer blend gasoline – have caused pump prices to jump as much as 43-cents in the last month in the region.

South and Southeast

The South and Southeast remain home to the cheapest gas price averages in the country with seven landing on the top 10 list this week: Alabama ($2.50), Mississippi ($2.51), Arkansas ($2.52), South Carolina ($2.52), Louisiana ($2.54), Texas ($2.57) and Oklahoma ($2.59).

On the week, these states had the largest increase in pump prices in the region: Texas (+8 cents), Oklahoma (+8 cents), Louisiana (+8 cents), New Mexico (+7 cents), Florida (+7 cents) and Arkansas (+7 cents).

Gasoline stocks have been steadily declining since the beginning of February. According to EIA data, stocks have dropped from 90 million bbl on Feb 8, to 80.7 million bbl today. Compared to a year ago, stocks are only at a one million bbl deficit.

Oil market dynamics

At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, WTI increased 31 cents to settle at $63.89. Oil prices increased last week, and will likely continue their ascent this week, as a weaker dollar helped to push crude prices up because of the increased number of dollars needed to purchase crude on the global market. Another contributing factor to the price jumps came from reports that there was a 534,000-b/d decline in crude production by OPEC members in March, led by Saudi Arabia cutting back by 324,000 b/d. The news underscores that OPEC and its partners are making reductions in service consistent with their 1.2 million b/d production reduction agreement, which is in place through June. OPEC has announced that it will not meet in April to discuss the pact; instead, it will meet on June 25 and 26 and may announce a decision to end or extend its agreement at that time.

In related news, EIA data revealed that total domestic crude inventories grew by 7 million bbl to 456.6.5 million bbl. Additionally, Baker Hughes Inc. reported that the U.S. gained two oilrigs last week, bringing the total to 833. When compared to last year at this time, there are 18 more rigs this year.


 

Bumper Audio Clip of the Week

Bumper to Bumper helps a listener who is having an intermittent electrical issue with her vehicle.