West Central KY Gas Prices Start Spring with a Fall
Gas prices dropped by about two cents this week in West Central Kentucky to $2.093 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.
On the National Front
Today’s national average price at the pump is $2.29 per gallon. This is the same price as compared to one month ago, but just fractions of a penny below one week ago and 25 cents per gallon more than the same date last year. The average pump price has decreased nine of the past 10 days.
Drivers in the Great Lakes and Central regions saw the largest discounts at the pump last week, with Kentucky seeing one of largest weekly declines. OPIS reports that the region has been clearing its system of high-RVP gasoline in preparation for the switch to lower RVP summer blend gasoline next month. The switch will mean higher prices at the pump for drivers in both regions.
On Sunday, a joint committee of ministers representing OPEC and non-OPEC countries asked the OPEC Secretariat to examine the market and consider a possible production cut extension beyond the original six- month agreement. Last year, OPEC and non-OPEC countries agreed to cut their output by 1.8 million barrels a day for six months starting in January 2017. The Secretariat is expected to provide a recommendation in April, well before the current agreement is set to expire in June.
Today the market opened posting losses, as traders doubt the ability of OPEC and other major oil producers to rebalance the market. OPEC’s announcement to consider extending production cuts follows news from EIA showing a crude oil build of 5 million barrels for the week ending March 17. That increase brings U.S. inventory levels to a total of 533.1 million barrels. Additionally, Baker Hughes’ reports that the U.S. added 21 oil rigs last week, bringing the country’s total rig count to 652.
The combination of OPEC efforts to rebalance the market and increased U.S. production continues to put pressure on crude oil futures, holding prices below $50 a barrel. Next month, market watchers will pay close attention to the OPEC Secretariat’s upcoming recommendations on whether to extend production cuts beyond June. At the close of Friday’s formal trading session on the NYMEX, West Texas Intermediate was up 27 cents to settle at $47.97 per barrel.
This week’s average prices: Western Central KY Average $2.093
Average price during the week of March 20, 2017 $2.112
Average price during the week of March 30, 2016 $1.969
The following is a list of the average price of unleaded self-serve gasoline in various areas:
$1.980 Bowling Green
$2.004 Elizabethtown
$2.264 Louisville
$2.105 Owensboro
$2.113 Paducah
Motorists can find current gas prices along their route with the free AAA Mobile app for iPhone, iPad and Android. The app can also be used to map a route, find discounts, book a hotel and access AAA roadside assistance. Learn more at AAA.com/mobile.
AAA East Central is a not-for-profit association with 81 local offices in Kentucky, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and West Virginia serving 2.7 million members.
For More Information, Contact:
Jim Garrity, Public & Community Relations Manager
Desk: 412-365-7274 / Cell: 412-905-9021 / Email: Garrity.James@aaaec.com
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