Over the past week gas prices have been on the rise in Great Bend and the surrounding communities.
According to Gas Buddy the average retail gasoline prices in Kansas have risen 4.0 cents per gallon in the past week, averaging $1.91 per gallon yesterday, according to their daily survey of 1,329 gas outlets in Kansas.
This compares with the national average that has increased 5.6 cents per gallon in the last week to $2.04, according to gasoline price website GasBuddy.com.
Including the change in gas prices in Kansas during the past week, prices on Sunday were 37.4 cents per gallon lower than the same day one year ago and are 26.8 cents per gallon higher than a month ago. The national average has increased 29.5 cents per gallon during the last month and stands 38.7 cents per gallon lower than this day one year ago.
According to their historical data, gasoline prices on March 28 in Kansas have ranged widely over the last five years:
$2.28 in 2015, $3.44 in 2014, $3.49 in 2013, $3.73 in 2012 and $3.45 in 2011.
“The rise in gasoline prices comes as refinery maintenance begins kicking into high gear,” Senior Petroleum Analyst for GasBuddy Patrick DeHaan said.
DeHaan also mentioned that It’s not a fun time to be filling up as gasoline prices see their typical seasonal rise. However, this year’s jump thus far has seen average prices remain well below year ago levels across much of the nation.
“As crude oil prices fell gently last week back under $40 per barrel, motorists shouldn’t necessarily expect the worst increases to be over just yet. DeHaan Said. “Until the bulk of refinery maintenance season wraps up in late May, we likely won’t see the lower oil prices immediately bring relief to the pump as oil and gasoline inventories continue to move in the opposite direction.

AAA
According to American Automobile Association the National average price for gas has topped two dollars at $2.04 per gallon today.
The Kansas Average remains under that by 13 cents at $1.91.
“While this might create a bit of anxiety among motorists,” AAA Kansas Spokesperson Jim Hanni said. “It remains to be the cheapest price per gallon average for Kansas since 2004 at $1.71 on this same date.”
The national and Kansas average are both 16 percent lower than a year ago.
Many refineries are conducting seasonal maintenance, which has led to a decline in fuel production. In addition, refineries are preparing to produce summer-blend gasoline.
This blend of gasoline is mandated by the EPA and is less prone to evaporate and contribute to air pollution in warmer temperatures.
Retailers in many parts of the country are required to sell this summer-blend of gasoline by June 1, and leading up to this deadline, refineries and storage facilities also adjust their supply in order to comply with the regulation.
During the months of March and April, refineries will begin the transition to producing and storing this blend of gasoline, and often “sell-off” or “draw-down” on their existing supply of gasoline in order to make room for this seasonal blend of gas.
This reduction in supply often leads to higher prices at the pump, because during this transition period, demand for gasoline generally begins to increase as warmer temperatures motivate more drivers to take to the roads.
“Despite rising averages, consumers nationwide continue to see yearly savings at the pump. Drivers in 47 states and Washington, D.C. are saving more than a quarter per gallon when they refuel their vehicles,” Hanni said. “Varying expectations of future supply and demand have contributed to the global oil market’s overall volatility,”