– Natural gas prices continued to rise significantly for the second week in a row, up $.36 to close this week at $3.22 per barrel.

 Crude Oil Summary

The price of global crude oil rose this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $.52 per barrel over last week, closing at $91.89.

 Brent crude oil also rose in price this week, finishing at $112.58 per barrel on Monday’s close, rising $1.81 from the previous week.

 One year ago WTI crude sold for $75.67 and Brent crude was at $103.61.

 Motor Fuels

As of Tuesday, October 2nd, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $3.81 across Iowa according to AAA.  This is $.02 lower than last week and up $.42 from one year ago.  The national average on Tuesday was $3.78, down $.03 from last week’s price. 

 Retail diesel fuel prices in Iowa fell a penny on the Tuesday report with a statewide average of $3.99.   One year ago diesel prices averaged $3.72 in Iowa.   The current Iowa diesel average is $.09 per gallon lower than the national average of $4.08.

 Wholesale ethanol prices rose this week by $.11, closing at $2.37. The price of Mid-Grade Blend in Iowa (10% ethanol) closed at $3.72 per gallon, down $.03 from last week’s price and up $.41 from one year ago.

 Heating Fuels

Propane prices rose a penny from mid-September figures with a statewide average of $1.35 per gallon.  Home heating oil fell $.07 from mid-September figures, ending with a statewide average of $3.65 per gallon.  Natural Gas prices in Iowa rose $.36 from last week’s report, ending the week at $3.22 / MMbtu.