- “EIA projects average U.S. household expenditures for natural gas, heating oil, electricity, and propane will decrease this winter heating season (October 1 through March 31) compared with last winter, which was 11% colder than the previous 10-year average nationally. Projected average household expenditures for propane and heating oil are 27% and 15% lower, respectively, because of lower heating demand and prices. Lower heating demand and higher prices contribute to natural gas and electricity expenditures that are 5% and 2% lower than last winter (see EIA Short-Term Energy Outlook and Winter Fuels Outlook slideshow).
- Driven in large part by falling crude oil prices, U.S. regular gasoline retail prices fell to an average of $3.41/gallon (gal) in September, 29 cents below the June average. U.S. regular gasoline retail prices are projected to continue to decline to an average of $3.14/gal in December. EIA expects U.S. regular gasoline retail prices, which averaged $3.51/gal in 2013, to average $3.45/gal in 2014 and $3.38/gal in 2015.
- Weakening global demand helped North Sea Brent crude oil spot prices fall to an average of $97 per barrel (bbl) in September, the first month Brent prices have averaged below $100/bbl in more than two years. EIA projects that Brent crude oil prices will average $98/bbl in fourth-quarter 2014 and $102/bbl in 2015. The WTI discount to Brent, which averaged $11/bbl in 2013, is expected to average $7/bbl in both 2014 and 2015.”
