US gas prices rise so much because we produce so much gas and oil that it has to be shipped to other countries

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4/21/14, "Price of Gas in U.S. Rises as Refiners Export More to Other Countries," Wall St. Journal, Nicole Friedman

"Drivers in the U.S. are facing rising gasoline prices ahead of summer-vacation season, just as refiners here are shipping more gas to other countries.

A new pipeline, built to release a glut of crude oil that was stuck in the middle of the country, is now feeding oil to refineries on the Gulf Coast that churn out gasoline and diesel. While these fuels still make their way to the Southeast and the East Coast, growing amounts are being sold to Mexico, the Netherlands, Brazil and other countries. 

The push into these markets has been spurred by the U.S. oil boom. Rising oil output had been flooding the nation's oil market in recent years, keeping U.S. crude prices low relative to world prices. Facing tepid fuel demand in the U.S., refiners have been ramping up exports, creating more global competition for U.S.-produced fuel.

While the construction of pipelines and other transportation infrastructure allows other countries to benefit from the oil boom, it also means the market for motor fuels has become more competitive. The gasoline market now has to reckon with demand from other countries—and the potential impact on prices—during a U.S. economic recovery many economists see as fragile.

"Quite frankly, this is not just a U.S.-centric topic anymore,"Production is going overseas, so that impacts the supply here, and that will drive prices up."

Gasoline stockpiles nationwide are at their lowest point for this time of year since 2011, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Meantime, the retail price for a gallon of regular gasoline averaged $3.68 on Monday, up 4.2% from a year ago, according to the EIA. That is the highest price since March 2013. AAA had the average price on Monday at $3.67."...

(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...

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