Notice those prices at the pump?

According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), high crude oil prices, violence in oil-exporting Venezuela, and OPEC’s decision to cut output may push U.S. gas prices to record highs in the coming days.

Gas stations around Central Oregon have seen rising prices.

At Sisters Chevron in Sisters, regular was $1.83 per gallon for regular, $1.93 for plus, $2.03 for super and $1.83 for diesel.

The increase followed roughly the same arc as in Bend.

Rob Nordby, owner of Bend Oil in Bend, a fuel supplier to 24 Shell stations in Oregon, said the cost of crude oil is driving prices up.

”Diesel has come back down slightly and did originally lead the price up but it’s concerning to me because usually prices are now at the lowest because the demand is lowest,” Nordby said. ”We are seeing high prices early in the year and I’m concerned it’s going to continue.”

In the Eugene, Salem and Portland markets, gas prices jumped about 15 cents over the past month, as measured by AAA’s www.fuelgauge-report.com. A gallon of regular is now $1.86 in those markets.

Mike Fassett, owner of Red Carpet Car Wash, a Shell dealer in Bend, said gas prices Friday were $1.88 for regular, $1.99 for mid-grade, $2.08 for super and $1.89 for diesel.

He said this week’s downturn in diesel prices could be a signal the others would follow.

”The customer understands it isn’t us doing it and that’s nice,” he said. ”Our cost has gone up 16 cents per gallon in the last two weeks for all (types of) gas.”

Diesel prices rose 35 cents in the last three weeks but have leveled off. ”I don’t think it will go anywhere near 2 bucks like everyone is saying,” Fassett said. ”It kills our volume when prices go up. We’re doing about 75 percent of what we did last month. Our volume is way down and people like to use their vehicles.”

Cathy Carroll can be reached at 541-383-0304 or ccarroll@bendbulletin.com.