Gas prices remain unchanged

Gas prices in Manchester and Portsmouth have been holding steady for the past three weeks, rising only a cent or two to fall back again.

The average price for a gallon of regular gas in the Queen City on Wednesday was $2.596 — just a little more than a penny higher than last week’s price of $2.582. However, that’s more than 12 cents higher than last month’s price of $2.471 per gallon.

Average gas prices in Portsmouth have dropped a fraction of a cent to $2.628 from $2.636 last week. Prices have risen substantially from last month’s average price of $2.510, however — nearly 12 cents.

Diesel in Manchester has also become about a penny more expensive than last week, rising to $2.668 from $2.656, and nearly 15 cents higher than last month. Seacoast diesel prices have followed the same trend, increasing to $2.684 this week from $2.667 last week, and $2.531 a month ago.

The nation’s average price for a gallon of regular gas is about $2.63 and $2.67 for diesel.

Per-barrel oil prices have continued to show volatility, largely due crude supply figures released by the federal Energy Information Administration.

In its weekly report, the EIA said U.S. crude stockpiles rose by 200,000 barrels to 343.8 million barrels for the week ending Aug. 21. Analysts said EIA’s report last week showed a large and unexpected draw on oil, which sent prices soaring to nearly $75 before settling back down to $71. — CINDY KIBBE/NEW HAMPSHIRE BUSINESS REVIEW