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WESTWOOD, MA (FRANKLIN COUNTY NOW) — The price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline in the Northeast is falling once again as global oil markets remain on edge while fighting continues in the Middle East.

Last week, regional pump prices notched small gains for the first time in 12 weeks on the back of higher crude oil prices, which rose after reports of the conflict intensifying. But oil prices have since settled lower amid reports that commodities traders increasingly think major oil infrastructure in Iran will not be impacted during the conflict. Cheaper oil is easing pressure on gasoline prices.

Strong domestic oil and gas production is another factor helping to nudge gas prices lower. The Energy Information Administration last week reported a sizeable build in domestic crude oil inventories to the tune of 5.5 million barrels, suggesting strong supplies will feed oil refiners through the end of the year. Additionally, those refiners appear to be finishing their seasonal maintenance schedules early. Refinery utilization — a measure of how much refining capacity is being used — increased to 89.4 percent last week, the EIA reported. That’s higher than last year’s figure of 85.5 percent for the comparable week.

The average gas price in Massachusetts is down a penny over last week ($3.06), averaging $3.05 per gallon. Today’s price is five cents lower than a month ago ($3.10) and 52 cents lower than this day last year ($3.57). Massachusetts’s average gas price is eight cents lower than the national average.

“Twenty states are averaging gasoline prices of below $3 a gallon across the country as supply and production continue to outpace demand,” said Mark Schieldrop, Senior Spokesperson, AAA Northeast. “If supply and demand were the only factors, retail pump prices would likely be lower, but geopolitical forces continue to inject some uncertainty into petroleum markets.”