Tulsa Gasoline Prices at Five-Month High

By Bloomberg, AP and Staff Reports

Gasoline prices in Oklahoma are averaging $2.34 a gallon, a five- month high, AAA-Oklahoma reported Friday.

Nationally, motorists are paying $2.43 for a gallon of regular unleaded, up 16 cents from a month ago.

Most retailers in Tulsa were charging $2.39 a gallon Friday.

AAA-Oklahoma spokesman Chuck Mai attributed the higher prices to speculation by New York energy traders.

“Traders are taking the long view, anticipating possible disruptions in exports of crude oil from Iran, Nigeria and other nations,” he said.

The good news is that U.S. oil supplies have reached their highest level since May 1999. And Friday, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries lowered its forecast for worldwide oil demand.

That helped oil prices drop. Crude for April delivery fell 81 cents, or 1.3 percent, to close at $62.77 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange.

Ten states have cheaper gasoline prices than Oklahoma, including Massachusetts, Delaware and New Hampshire, AAA said. Pump prices in Hawaii are the highest — $2.78 a gallon.