The steady rise was at least partially triggered by unrest in Nigeria and below average U.S. refining activity, sources said.

Oil prices chalked up a 3 percent increase for the week.

Natural gas continued its slide, losing 17.4 cents, or 2.6 percent, to close at $6.444 per million British thermal units.

Heating oil was up 0.78 cent to close at $2.0951 a gallon, up 2 percent for the week. Reformulated gas closed up 2.53 cents at $2.3096 a gallon, up 2 percent for the week.

At the pump, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline rose to $2.952 from $2.949, the AAA Daily Fuel Gauge report said.