Retail gasoline prices have yet again risen above the $2 gal mark nationally, but it is unlikely that a run to $3 gal or more will happen this summer, according to the Energy Information Administration.

The EIA also said that demand is flattening out and is likely to remain flat or grow modestly over the warmer months if the economy does not worsen.

The administration does predict that prices will average more than $2 gal over the summer since crude oil prices have risen by about $17 bbl, which translates to about 42cts gal.

Despite the economic downturn and oil price freefall that has occurred over the past year, global demand will grow and lead to rising oil prices over the long term, the Energy Information Administration said in its Annual Energy Outlook report released March 31.

Growing demand for energy in China, India and other developing countries, coupled with efforts by many countries to limit access to oil resources in their territories, will result in a wide oil price range of $50 to $200 bbl in 2030, according to the report. A reference case in the report pegs the 2030 price at $130, but states that there is “significant uncertainty” in the projection.

The reference case assumes that growth in the world economy and liquids demand will recover by 2010, with growth beginning in 2010 and continuing through 2013, when world demand for liquids surpasses the 2008 level. As the global recession fades, oil prices will begin rebounding.