Diesel prices are down for second straight week

Diesel prices dropped for the second straight week, according to the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration (EIA).

The average price per gallon of diesel fell 1.3 cents to $3.873 per gallon, following last week’s 2.4 cent decline, which was preceded by three weeks of gains for a cumulative 3.9 cents.  These gains were preceded by two weeks of declines for a cumulative 1.2 cent drop during the weeks of December 9 and December 17, and prior to that saw a two-week stretch in which prices headed up a cumulative 6.1 cents.  On an annual basis, the average price per diesel is down 2.9 cents.

Prior to that two-week run of increases, prices were down for 11 weeks, which was comprised of nine weeks of declines and two weeks in which prices were flat.

During this 11-week period, diesel prices dropped a cumulative 15.9 cents, according to EIA data.

In its recent update of the short-term energy outlook, the EIA expects the average price of diesel for 2013 to be $3.92 per gallon, below 2012’s $3.97. For 2014, it expects the average price to be 3.77 per gallon.

Oil barrel prices headed up to $95.50 on the New York Mercantile Exchange, according to an Associated Press report. The report said the gain was due to expectations for solid demand and weaker supply, particularly in Asia and Europe.

And the International Energy Agency recently stated in a report that the U.S. will pass Russia and Saudi Arabia as the world’s top oil producer by 2015, coupled with being close to energy self-sufficient in the next two decades, as well as gains from shale formation output, too, according to a Bloomberg report.

The report added that crude prices will head up to $128 per barrel by 2035.

Logistics Management oil and gas columnist Derik Andreoli recently observed that on the diesel side, oil production in the U.S. and Iraq continues to grow rapidly while emerging market demand will continue its lackluster performance.

Regardless of the fluctuation in diesel prices, shippers are cognizant of the impact diesel prices can have on their bottom line—for better or worse.