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US consumers are digging deeper in their pockets to fill up at the pump with the average price for petrol now a record US$3.10 a gallon.
The national price for regular unleaded petrol rose 5 cents over the last week and is up 16 cents from a year ago, according to the US Energy Information Administration's weekly survey of service stations.
The latest pump price tops the old record of US$3.07 set in September 2005 after Hurricane Katrina disrupted refinery operations and oil production along the Gulf Coast, the EIA said.
The much larger AAA survey showed the price for petrol at a record US$3.07 on Monday.
Higher petrol costs are cutting into consumer spending, which accounts for about two-thirds of US economic growth.
The EIA has forecast the national petrol price will stay at or near US$3 a gallon for most of the summer, but will not come close to the US$4 level that many consumers fear.
Energy experts say rising motor fuel costs reflect the temporary shutdown of several oil refineries, strong petroleum demand, militant attacks on Nigeria's oil production and higher crude prices.
- REUTERS
