DES MOINES – Natural gas prices recorded a decline, falling $.18 from last week and closing at $3.21/MMbtu.

Crude Oil Summary

The price of global crude oil fell this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $1.12 per barrel over last week, and is currently priced at $52.12.

Brent crude oil fell $1.37, and is currently priced at $55.06.

One year ago WTI crude sold for $31.41 and Brent crude was at $30.14.

Motor Fuels

As of Tuesday, January 10th, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.36 across Iowa according to AAA.  This is a penny higher than one week ago and $.49 higher than one year ago.  The national average on Tuesday was $2.36, up $.01 from last week’s price. 

Retail diesel fuel prices in Iowa rose a penny from last week’s price with a statewide average of $2.50.   One year ago diesel prices averaged $2.03 in Iowa.   The current Iowa diesel average is $.03 lower than the national average of $2.53.

Wholesale ethanol prices were down $.03 from last week’s price, closing at $1.48. 

The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $1.57 for U87-E10, $1.72 for Unleaded 87 (clear), ULSD#2 is at $1.65, ULSD#1 is at $1.87, and E-70 is priced at $1.65 per gallon.

Heating Fuels

Propane prices were up $.02 from last week’s report, with a statewide average of $1.19 per gallon.  Home heating fell a penny from last week, ending with a statewide average of $2.07.  Natural Gas prices fell $.18 at the Henry Hub reporting site and ended the week at $3.21 / MMbtu.