DES MOINES – Natural gas prices rose $.46 this week, closing at $3.04/MMbtu.

Crude Oil Summary

The price of global crude oil fell this week on the West Texas Intermediate (WTI) by $3.62 per barrel over last week, and is currently priced at $48.44.

Brent crude oil was down $3.35 and is currently priced at $51.51.

One year ago WTI crude sold for $36.34 and Brent crude was at $37.49.

Motor Fuels

As of Tuesday, March 14th, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $2.31 across Iowa according to AAA.  This is down a penny from last week and $.29 higher than one year ago.  The national average on Tuesday was $2.29, two cents lower than last week’s price. 

Retail diesel fuel prices in Iowa were down a penny with a statewide average of $2.46.   One year ago diesel prices averaged $2.07 in Iowa.   The current Iowa diesel average is $.06 lower than the national average of $2.52.

Wholesale ethanol prices were up $.05 from last week’s price, closing at $1.53. 

The current Des Moines Terminal/Rack Prices are $1.51 for U87-E10, $1.69 for Unleaded 87 (clear), ULSD#2 is at $1.56, ULSD#1 is at $1.69, and E-70 is priced at $1.59 per gallon.

Heating Fuels

Propane prices were down $.02 from last week’s report, with a statewide average of $1.21 per gallon.  Home heating prices are down $.03 from last week, ending with a statewide average of $1.98.  Natural Gas prices are up $.46 at the Henry Hub reporting site and ended the week at $3.04 / MMbtu,