FARGO, N.D. (AAA) – The North Dakota gas price average has resumed its push toward $4 a gallon.

After a modest two-week decline, pump prices rose again over the past week due primarily to the high cost of crude oil. Fear of a global energy supply disruption due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine outweighs the demand concerns prompted by the impact of COVID-19 on China’s economy.

The cost of a barrel of crude continues to hover just above $100. With the oil price accounting for about 60 percent of pump prices, the national average for a gallon of regular is now $4.19, an increase of seven cents in the past week, but down from its peak of $4.33 on March 11. The North Dakota average is up 6 cents from last week and now stands at $3.95, the highest statewide average since June 2013, according to AAA.

“As long as the oil and gas supplies remains tight, it will be hard for prices to fall and consumers will continue to pay higher prices at the pump,” said Gene LaDoucer, regional director of public affairs for AAA-The Auto Club Group. “It now costs North Dakota drivers about 42 percent more to fill up than a year ago.”

According to new data from the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total domestic gasoline stocks decreased by 1.6 million bbl to 230.8 million bbl last week. Gasoline demand decreased slightly from 8.87 million b/d to 8.74 million b/d. Although lower gas demand would typically push pump prices lower, the fluctuating oil price and tight gasoline supply have pushed pump prices higher. Pump prices will likely face upward pressure as oil prices remain above $100 per barrel.

For more information in gas prices, including a gas cost calculator, visit gasprices.AAA.com.