Expert sees no end to high gas prices as long as Libya unrest continues

CALGARY – A petroleum expert sees no relief from high gasoline prices, so long as unrest continues to simmer in Libya.

The North African country is a relatively small oil producer in the grand scheme of things.

But En-Pro International’s Roger McKnight says fears that similar unrest could spread to bigger crude producers in the Middle East will keep driving world oil prices higher.

Since crude oil is used to make gasoline, the effect is being felt at the pump.

The Canadian average for gasoline has been hovering just under $1.22 per litre – around 20 per cent higher than it was a year ago at this time.

McKnight says the geopolitical uncertainty makes it near-impossible to predict where pump prices will go next.