DES MOINES – Natural gas prices fell $.18 this week, closing at $2.86/MMbtu.

Crude Oil Summary

The price of global crude oil rose this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $.83 per barrel over last week, and is currently priced at $53.09.

Brent crude oil rose $.64, and is currently priced at $55.74.

One year ago WTI crude sold for $29.44 and Brent crude was at $31.80.

Motor Fuels

As of Tuesday, February 14th, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.32 across Iowa according to AAA.  This is $.03 higher than one week ago and $.73 higher than one year ago.  The national average on Tuesday was $2.28, up a penny from last week’s price. 

Retail diesel fuel prices in Iowa were down a penny from last week’s price with a statewide average of $2.46.   One year ago diesel prices averaged $1.87 in Iowa.   The current Iowa diesel average is $.05 lower than the national average of $2.51.

Wholesale ethanol prices were down $.05 from last week’s price, closing at $1.54. 

The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $1.58 for U87-E10, $1.74 for Unleaded 87 (clear), ULSD#2 is at $1.65, ULSD#1 is at $1.77, and E-70 is priced at $1.62 per gallon.

Heating Fuels

Propane prices were down a penny from last week’s report, with a statewide average of $1.28 per gallon.  Home heating prices were the same as last week, ending with a statewide average of $2.03.  Natural Gas prices fell $.18 at the Henry Hub reporting site and ended the week at $2.86 / MMbtu.