TAMPA, Fla. — Oil prices continued to trade below $100 a barrel last week to settle Friday at $99.65 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange – $2.47 more than the previous week.

Prices increased slightly after Europe reported positive economic news and the rising waters of the Mississippi River threatened U.S. oil refineries.

The European Union (EU) reported their gross domestic product jumped from 0.3 percent to 0.8 percent, more than expected.

The upward movement pushed oil prices higher on speculation Europe’s fuel demand will increase.

Oil also increased on concern the flooding of the Mississippi River would damage oil wells and refineries in Louisiana.

As expected, the Morganza spillway was opened to divert the flood water from New Orleans and Baton Rouge as well as oil refineries.

“Although the Morganza spillway was opened to shift the flood water from oil refineries, many oil wells will be affected and this could push oil prices higher this week,” said Jessica Brady, spokesperson of AAA Auto Club South. “Retail gas prices still remain relatively unchanged from last week, however with two concurrent weeks of oil trading below $100, consumers should start to see gas prices drop—albeit slow and steady.”

The national average price of unleaded regular gasoline is $3.96 a gallon, unchanged from last week.

Tennessee’s average price of $3.77 per gallon also remains the same as last week, while Florida’s average price decreased 1 cent to $3.91 a gallon.

Georgia’s average price of $3.93 increased 5 cents from last week, respectively.

AAA’s Daily Fuel Gauge Report is updated each day and reflects actual prices from credit card transactions within the past 24 hours at two-thirds (100,000) gasoline stations in the U.S. Its accuracy is unparalleled.