Metro Vancouver gas prices to rise sharply: experts

Drivers in Metro Vancouver can expect to pay more at the pump in the coming days.

Analyst Patrick De Haan with GasBuddy.com says regular fuel is about to jump another five to 10 cents per litre over the next 24 to 48 hours.

He says the problem stems from two major issues on the U.S. West Coast.

“Number one: a refinery shutdown. That is now starting — a permanent shutdown of a refinery in Southern California. And also scheduled maintenance that’s also occurring at other refineries in California,” said De Haan.

He explains that California has only 11 gasoline-producing refineries, and the count will drop to 10 by the end of the year.

“And it will also drop next year with another permanent shutdown of the refinery in Northern California. So the long term is not looking good.”

Prices have begun to increase across the Pacific Northwest. He says California refineries may face more shutdowns as they look to sell their operations amid an increasingly restrictive political climate in the state.

With shutdowns, De Haan says prices will remain “volatile” as B.C. will have to rely more heavily on supply from Japan and South Korea.

But short-term relief is in sight. De Haan says colder winter months will lower demand, and a Washington pipeline is expected to resume operations, allowing for more affordable transportation.

Unfortunately, he adds, a weakening Canadian Dollar value also has the effect of making gas prices rise.