Gas prices in Okanagan, Kamloops among the highest in B.C.

If you pull into a station to get a tank of gas in Kamloops and the Okanagan today, you might be in for a price shock.

Prices at the pump in the region are amongst the highest in the province right now.

The price of gasoline jumped up to 20 cents per litre this week, when compared to prices in mid-April.

At last check today, April 30, here are the prices for a litre of regular in the Thompson-Okanagan's four major cities, as provided by GasBuddy.com:

  • Kamloops – 87.9 to 94.9
  • Vernon – 105.9
  • Kelowna – 103.9 to 105.9
  • Penticton – 90.9 to 105.9

Gas prices in the Lower Mainland seem to be hovering around the 80 cent per litre mark today, while in the north, Fort St. John has the lowers price in B.C. at 73.1.

Senior vice president with Kent Group Ltd., Michael Ervin says the price at the pump reflects the wholesale price of gas. The wholesale price has risen more in Kelowna than other markets such as Vancouver or Calgary, he says.

“The reason has to do with the fact the wholesale price is a reflection of available inventories at the supplying terminal. Kelowna, which receives its inventory via the Trans Mountain pipeline, appears to have declining fuel inventories compared to other centres,” Ervin says.

He says the pipeline moves both gasoline and crude oil, but not at the same time, which could result in scheduling difficulties.

The price of a wholesale litre of fuel on April 22 was less than 40 cents, but today it’s 56 cents.

“That’s why the pump prices are up. Dealers were holding off increasing the price but it jumped so much they had no choice,” Ervin says.

Crude oil prices are also up from a week or two ago, which is also contributing to higher pump prices.

The price of a barrel of Western Canadian Select rose from $4.96 on April 17 to $7.96 today, April 30.

There’s little predictability in oil markets these days.

“My best method for predicting what’s going to happen is to put on my blindfold and get out my darts and dartboard,” Ervin says.

“Seriously, though, Kelowna’s present price is a bit of an exception because of how the market is supplied and it’s distance from refineries. I would expect the disparity should be remedied in a week to 10 days."


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Steve Arstad

I have been looking for news in the South Okanagan - SImilkameen for 20 years, having turned a part time lifelong interest into a full time profession. After five years publishing a local newsletter, several years working as a correspondent / stringer for several local newspapers and seven years as editor of a Similkameen weekly newspaper, I joined iNFOnews.ca in 2014. My goal in the news industry has always been to deliver accurate and interesting articles about local people and places. My interest in the profession is life long - from my earliest memories of grade school, I have enjoyed writing.
As an airborne geophysical surveyor I travelled extensively around the globe, conducting helicopter borne mineral surveys.
I also spent several years at an Okanagan Falls based lumber mill, producing glued-wood laminated products.
As a member of the Kaleden community, I have been involved in the Kaleden Volunteer Fire Department for 22 years, and also serve as a trustee on the Kaleden Irrigation District board.
I am currently married to my wife Judy, of 26 years. We are empty-nesters who enjoy living in Kaleden with our Welsh Terrier, Angus, and cat, Tibbs.
Our two daughters, Meagan and Hayley, reside in Richmond and Victoria, respectively.

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