Orange County Experiencing It's Highest Gas Prices In Years

ORANGE COUNTY, CA -- The average price of gas in Orange County rose to its highest amount since July 22, 2015, increasing a half-cent to $4.214. It has risen 57.8 cents since Sept. 17, including 2.5 cents Thursday, data show.

The Orange County average price is 27.1 cents more than one week ago, 57.1 cents higher than one month ago and 38.9 cents greater than one year ago, according to the Automobile Club of Southern California and the Oil Price Information Service.

The price has risen 86.5 cents since the start of the year, according to the Automobile Club.

Gas prices began increasing rapidly last month after Saudi Arabia oil production facilities were attacked, and the increases sharpened after three Los Angeles-area refineries slowed or halted production due to maintenance issues and no imported gasoline was available to make up for the shortfall, according to Automobile Club of Southern California's corporate communications manager Jeffrey Spring.

Local refineries had already cut back production of summer blend gasoline in anticipation of switching to selling the winter blend beginning Nov. 1, creating even more of a shortage.

"Drivers are not likely to see much relief at the pump quickly, since retail prices have shot up by over 50 cents and are typically much slower to decline after a sharp increase," Spring said.

City News Service contributed to this report.