It’s been a rollercoaster for gas prices in recent days. In the past fortnight, national gas prices have seen a dip on 12 occasions. This might sound like good news to motorists, but here’s the catch: crude oil still hovers around the $90 per barrel mark, contributing over 50% to fuel costs. So, until the crude component sees significant relief, these gentle declines might be the best we can expect.

One of the major influencing factors is OPEC’s production strategy. While they’ve coined it as a “stabilization” move, interpretations can vary. To offer some perspective, as of the past Sunday, the national average gas price stood at $3.815 per gallon, a smidge lower from Saturday’s $3.823.

But it’s not all roses. In the grand scheme of things, the gas price has surged by 19.4% since the start of the year, despite the recent 1.7% decrease from its peak in mid-September. And with light sweet crude trading at $90.79 last week and even seeing an increment early this week, it’s hard to predict when the prices will stabilize.

Here’s where geopolitics enters. Saudi Arabia and Russia’s decision in early September to pull 1.3 million barrels of crude daily off the global shelf until the end of 2023 did no favors to crude prices. Such maneuvers lead experts, including those at the American Automobile Association, to believe that if it weren’t for these production cuts, we’d be enjoying lower prices at the pump. Historically, the year’s last quarter often saw a fall in gas prices; last year, for instance, witnessed a 16.82% drop.

But who’s really feeling the pinch? It’s not just individual consumers. High fuel prices have the potential to stress out the broader economy and businesses. California recently reported a jaw-dropping statewide price of $6.063 per gallon, with Mono County peaking at $6.716. On the flip side, Louisiana seemed to fare better with the lowest recorded price at $3.323 a gallon.

Interestingly, the silver lining in all of this might be for electric vehicle manufacturers. Companies like Tesla, Ford, GM, and Stellantis could potentially gain traction as consumers look for alternatives to gas-guzzling vehicles. While the auto sector has its own set of challenges, including labor strikes and negotiation hurdles, EVs could be the beacon of hope for many.

On the stock front, while automaker shares remained somewhat stable, oil stocks saw a healthy uptick. Chevron and ExxonMobil, for instance, experienced increases of 4.7% and 5.8% respectively.

In conclusion, as we gear up for the upcoming OPEC meeting and monitor the geopolitical landscape, it’s evident that the tug-of-war between supply strategies and market demands will continue to influence our gas prices. And as always, it pays to keep an entrepreneurial eye on the evolving opportunities in the energy sector. Whether it’s electric vehicles or energy stocks, there’s always a way to navigate the gas price maze.