Gas-price squeeze seen pumping refiner profits

Threat of summer supply bottlenecks sends gas prices higher

With the summer driving season still months away, pump prices have already begun rising as a combination of factors threaten to squeeze supplies. And with pump prices expected to continue rising as summer approaches, drivers

Pump prices continue to vary widely from one part of ht country to another. The lowest average price regular unleaded was in Newark, N.J., at $2.15 a gallon, according to the most recent Lundberg Survey, an energy consulting firm. But prices at some stations have once again topped $3.00 a gallon.

The jump in prices comes as demand for gas has been creeping upward.