As the summer driving season quickly approaches, local experts say motorists can continue to expect reasonable prices at the pump.

"The best I can figure is that gasoline will stay pretty low," said Brad McCully, Brabham Oil Co. spokesperson. "The best I can see is that Iraqi crude is flowing well and Venezuela crude is at a five-year high. Supply is not a problem."

The absence of any significant refinery glitches or conflicts all point to stable, if not falling, gasoline prices, said McCully.

Of course, as so often happens, McCully said, the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries will most likely not allow the prices to fall too much lower, for example into the 99-cent range.

"Right now there is a pretty good glut on crude oil," McCully said. "They (OPEC) will grab a hold of that and cut it back to make sure crude oil does not get too much lower. It is an artificial thing that will keep it from going to low."

Selected stations surveyed throughout The T&D Region Wednesday revealed the least-expensive self-serve regular unleaded gasoline sold in Orangeburg for $1.279 at the Short Stop on Magnolia and U.S. 178 and the Horizon E-Z Shop on Old St. Matthews Road.

The Shell E-Z Shop at U.S. 21 and Highway 22, the Hess on Highway 22 and the Phillips 66 Li'l Cricket off of Highway 22, all near Interstate 26 exit 139, also sold for $1.279 a gallon.

At the I-26 Bowman Exit, 159, the Pilot and Phillips 66 Li'l Cricket sold for $1.299. Both stations are on Homestead Road.

The most-expensive surveyed sold in Santee for $1.379 a gallon at the Horizon E-Z Shop and the Citgo E-Z Shop, both on Highway 6.

The lowest gasoline prices in St. Matthews were not available Wednesday.

McCully's assessment was on target as crude oil futures fell Tuesday propelling traders to make short contracts and take profits on Russia's recently announced plans to increase crude output this month. The report served to intensify worries of oversupply in the crude market.

OPEC took several actions resulting in an estimated production-cut of 800,000 barrels a day, but OPEC leaders contend prices remain below desired levels.

Undergirding those worries are widespread expectations of a build in weekly crude stocks in government and industry data due out Wednesday.

U.S. crude oil stocks are expected to rise by an average 2.5 million barrels for the week ended May 2, according to a Dow Jones Newswires survey of energy analysts. Estimates ranged from a draw of 500,000 barrels to a build of 5 million barrels. Imports also are expected to increase.

Last week, the Energy Information Administration reported that crude stocks grew by 1.8 million barrels to 288 million barrels in the week ended April 25, as imports fell by nearly 1 million barrels a day to 9.7 million barrels a day.

As The T&D continues its weekly gas survey, we encourage readers to get involved.

If you know of a gasoline price consistently lower than those in our survey, let us know by e-mail at news@timesanddemocrat.com, by fax at 803-533-5595 or by phone at 803-534-1060. The prices must be consistently low for inclusion in the survey. Here are some of the prices found in the survey conducted Wednesday morning, May 7:

Orangeburg

-- Short Stop, Magnolia and U.S. 178: regular unleaded, $1.279.

-- Horizon E-Z Shop, Old St. Matthews Road: regular unleaded, $1.279.

-- Dodge's Store at U.S. 301 and Cannon Bridge Road: regular unleaded, $1.299.

-- Henry's on U.S. 301: regular unleaded, $1.299.

-- Li'l Cricket at U.S. 301 and Highway 70: regular unleaded, $1.299.

-- Speedway, U.S. 21 and U.S. 21 Bypass: regular unleaded, $1.299.

-- Citgo Express Lane, Charleston Highway: regular unleaded, $1.299.

-- Gaz-bah Exxon, Chestnut and Ellis: regular unleaded, $1.299.

-- Exxon, Charleston Highway: regular unleaded, $1.299.

-- Hot Spot, John C. Calhoun Drive: regular unleaded, $1.299.

-- Horizon E-Z Shop, Shillings Bridge Road: regular unleaded, $1.299.

-- Shell Corner Pantry, U.S. 301 and Broughton: regular unleaded, $1.319

-- Speedway, Boulevard St. and Carolina Ave., $1.329.

-- Big D's Shell, Magnolia Street and U.S. 178: regular unleaded, $1.329.

Neeses

-- Fogle's Piggly Wiggly, Highway 4 and U.S. 321: regular unleaded, $1.299.

Bamberg

-- 3-Way Food Mart, Main Street: regular unleaded, $1.339.

-- Horizon E-Z Shop West, U.S. 78 West: regular unleaded, $1.339.

-- Horizon E-Z Shop on U.S. 301 South: regular unleaded, $1.339.

Branchville

-- Horizon E-Z Shop, Freedom Road: regular unleaded, $1.339.

Santee

-- Horizon E-Z Shop, Highway 6: regular unleaded, $1.379.

-- Citgo E-Z Shop, Highway 6: regular unleaded, $1.379.

St. George

-- Fast Point Food Store, on Highway 78 and Sears Street: regular unleaded, $1.309.

T&D Staff Writer Gene Zaleski can be reached by e-mail at gzaleski@timesanddemocrat.com or by phone at 803-533-5551.

You must be logged in to comment.