DES MOINES – Natural gas prices fell $.16 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 $.67 per barrel over last week, currently priced at $53.98. Brent crude oil rose $.65, and it is currently priced at $61.95. One year ago, WTI crude sold for $52.63 and Brent crude was at $67.78.

Motor Fuels

As of Tuesday, January 29, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.07 across Iowa according to AAA. This is $.01 lower than last week and $.55 lower than one year ago. The national average on Tuesday was $2.26, down $.01 from last week’s price.

Retail diesel fuel prices in Iowa were $.02 higher than last week’s price with a statewide average of $2.73. One year ago, diesel prices averaged $2.99 in Iowa. The current Iowa diesel price is $.19 less than the national average of $2.92. Wholesale ethanol prices held steady at last week’s price, currently at $1.27.

The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $1.34 for U87-E10, $1.45 for Unleaded 87 (clear), ULSD#2 is at $1.89, ULSD#1 is at $2.18, and E-70 is priced at $1.36 per gallon.

Heating Fuels

Propane prices were the same as last week for a statewide average of $1.32 per gallon. Home heating oil was up $.01 from last week’s figures, ending with a statewide average of $2.24. Natural Gas prices fell $.16 at the Henry Hub reporting site and currently priced at $2.86/MMbtu.