TAMPA, Fla. (Oct. 14, 2012) -- Oil and retail gas prices moved slightly higher last week as tensions with Syria generated concerns of supply disruptions in the Middle East.

Falling U.S. jobless claims also pushed prices a little higher.

Although gas prices in the Southeast increased, the region still has some of the lowest prices in the country. However, oil and gas prices could fall this week after the International Energy Agency (IEA) cut global demand for 2013 because of slow economic growth across the globe and Europe's continued financial woes.



"Motorists may see gas prices drop this week as U.S. supplies increase faster than demand," said Jessica Brady, AAA spokeswoman, The Auto Club Group. "If prices do fall, the loss will likely be minimal since there is still Mideast concerns placing upward pressure on the market."



A barrel of oil settled Friday at $91.86 on the New York Mercantile Exchange--$1.98 more than the week prior.

The national average price of regular unleaded gasoline is $3.79, 2 cents less than last week. Florida’s average of $3.72 increased 4 cents from last week. Georgia's average of $3.63 rose 5 cents from last week and Tennessee’s average of $3.55 rose 3 cents from last week, respectively. Visit AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report to find national, state, and local metro market retail gasoline prices.



Current and past gas price averages: National:

Current-$3.794

Last week-$3.814

Last month-$3.871

Last year-$3.443

Florida:

Current-$3.719

Last week-$3.678

Last month-$3.811

Last year-$3.409

Georgia:

Current-$3.629

Last week-$3.579

Last month-$3.792

Last year-$3.333

Tennessee:

Current-$3.545

Last week-$3.524

Last month-$3.675

Last year-$3.269