OPEC has increased production just at a time when demand has dropped as it typically does as we move from summer to winter. And winter blends are cheaper to produce than summer blends.

Since 2008 -- as far back as I bothered to look -- the monthly average retail price of a gallon of gas has been lower in November than October almost every year.

Soon to be $5.00.

You’re right about Ukraines ongoing destruction of Russkie oil production helping to keep prices low.

And it’s also true that Big Oil wants to politically support Chump, keep him propped up for “drill baby drill”. They owe him big time and low prices help him out.

Now with Venezuelan oil soon becoming available, specifically the Orinoco Belt oil reserve, (which is the biggest on the planet), they’re even more invested in keeping him happy.

You’re right. Market manipulation of gasoline pump prices is part of the Repug playbook.

Joe combatted OPEC’s attempts to raise oil prices by using our Strategic Oil Reserves. And he did it too.

....gas is the essentially the same price as a year ago.
Actually, it was a couple cents cheaper at the beginning of last December. There was still a Dem in the WH then.
https://ycharts.com/indicators/us_gas_price

That's when it went from $1.50 a gallon avg to $4 avg a gallon, back in 2008. It went higher back in 2022 but counting for inflation I think the 2008 price is higher.

The Koch Brothers made a killing in the 2000s, vastly multiplying their net worth.