Gas prices spike following attacks on Saudi Arabia
The national average price of gasoline is up for the first time in 10 weeks following the attacks on Saudi Arabia, according to the price-tracking website GasBuddy.com.
The national average has gone up 8.5 cents per gallon in the past week to $2.66, GasBuddy reported. The 8.3 cents-per-gallon increase in the Pittsburgh area was slightly less, but the region’s average cost is higher at $2.90 per gallon, according to the website.
The attacks in Saudi Arabia knocked out 5% of daily oil production, said Patrick DeHaan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy.
“While the worst is now behind us, there remain some concerns that could cause oil prices to rise further, including a fairly optimistic timeline from the Saudis that may prove challenging to meet,” DeHaan said.
Prices in the Pittsburgh area are 7.9 cents per gallon higher than a month ago, but 20.4 cents per gallon less than a year ago, according to GasBuddy.
The national average is up 7.3 cents per gallon from a month ago, but is 17.4 cents per gallon less than a year ago, GasBuddy reported.
Brian C. Rittmeyer, a Pittsburgh native and graduate of Penn State University's Schreyer Honors College, has been with the Trib since December 2000. He can be reached at brittmeyer@triblive.com.
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