AUGUSTA, Maine (AP) — Heating oil is more expensive than a year ago in Maine, where residents of the state are looking ahead to fall and winter.

The Governor's Energy Office says the average statewide cash price is $2.77 per gallon, which is seven cents higher than a month ago. It's also up from $2.18 per gallon in September 2017.

The prices of kerosene and propane are up, too. Kerosene is $3.36 per gallon, up from $2.83 a year ago. Propane is $2.69, up 30 cents from September 2017.

The energy office says North American shale oil production is expected to be slightly lower than earlier estimates. It says this factor along with other pressures has caused the per-barrel price of fuel to rise a few dollars in the last month.

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