Topeka ? With President Bush poised to attack Iraq, the cost of filling up the fuel tank has soared. But industry officials said Tuesday they didn’t foresee any further increase of prices at the gasoline pump if war starts.

“Overall at this point, we’re probably going to see prices maintain,” said Tom Palace, executive director of the Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association of Kansas.

Petroleum-producing countries are increasing their output to cover any dip in the flow of crude oil should oil-rich Iraq shut down production, he said.

In addition, Palace said he didn’t expect gasoline shortages or long lines at the pump.

But, he said, that could change if fighting lasts for months or if Saddam Hussein tries to destroy Iraqi oil fields, as he did in Kuwait at the end of the Gulf War.

The Automobile Association of America reports that gasoline prices at the pump are nearly 50 cents a gallon more than a year ago. The national average for regular unleaded was $1.728 per gallon, up from $1.266 a year ago. In Kansas, the average price for regular unleaded was $1.671 per gallon, up from $1.261 a year ago.

Despite the high prices and jittery markets, AAA, the largest automobile and travel association, said in a statement last week that motorists should avoid “panic buying” if the United States invades Iraq.

Brian Long, general manager of Zarco 66 No. 3 at 900 Iowa, said he hadn’t seen any panic buying nor too much grousing about the price.

“Everybody comes in and is concerned about the war, but not the gas,” Long said. “They tell us their opinion on whether we should be going to war. They don’t worry about the gas,” Long said.