Gas Stations Report Diesel Shortages Amid Rising Prices

Images shared on social media indicate some gas stations are running out of diesel as U.S. fuel prices reach record highs. However, industry data does not show widespread shortages. One image from North Texas displayed an 'out of diesel' notice, and another from Orlando, Florida, reported a similar situation. Concerns about diesel availability have increased due to tightening global supplies, influenced by the ongoing conflict involving the U.S. and Israel in Iran, which has disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key route for global petroleum. Vessel traffic has decreased significantly since the conflict began on February 28. Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis at GasBuddy, advised against interpreting isolated incidents at individual stations as evidence of a national shortage. He noted that GasBuddy's data does not indicate high levels of outages and that current shortages are within normal levels. De Haan cautioned against misinformation circulating online regarding diesel availability. Individual stations may experience temporary shortages due to high local demand or delays in fuel deliveries. GasBuddy's data suggests that the reports of outages are isolated incidents. While the diesel market is tight and prices are high, there is no indication of a nationwide shortage at gas stations. De Haan emphasized the importance of fact-checking claims made online to prevent unnecessary panic. The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that distillate fuel oil inventories are expected to drop below 100 million barrels and remain low through 2027. The EIA also noted that diesel prices have risen significantly, with the national average reaching $6.285 per gallon on September 14, up from $3.739 a year earlier, marking a 68 percent increase. Discussions in Washington have emerged regarding the possibility of restricting U.S. diesel exports to manage domestic supply and prices. Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed openness to exploring an export ban, while Interior Secretary Doug Burgum indicated that officials would consider such measures if they believed it would effectively lower prices. As of September 17, California had the highest diesel prices at $8.3496 per gallon, followed by Washington at $7.3640 and Hawaii at $7.0902. Oklahoma had the lowest average at $5.9386, with Texas at $5.9604 and Louisiana at $5.9884.