U.S. Propane Inventories Jump 1.4 MMbbl

U.S. propane stocks the week ended Sept.12 climbed to 77.4 MMbbl, adding 1.4 MMbbl week over week to stand 13 MMbbl, or 20.2%, higher than a year ago, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) in its Sept. 17 “This Week in Petroleum” report. Midwest volumes increased by 1.1 MMbbl, and Gulf Coast supplies rose 0.3 MMbbl. The Rocky Mountain/West Coast region gained 0.1 MMbbl, while the East Coast declined by 0.1 MMbbl. Propylene non-fuel-use inventories represented 4.3% of total stocks, off from 4.7% the previous week.

U.S. propane production for the most recent reporting period stood at 1.620 MMbbld, barely registering an increase for the week but rising about 0.2 MMbbld above last year. East Coast production was at 0.191 MMbbld, the Midwest 0.326 MMbbld, and the Gulf Coast 0.912 MMbbld. Although production totals varied little from week to week, the East Coast and Midwest posted minimal gains, while the Gulf Coast barely dipped. For the year, the East Coast was 0.1 MMbbld higher, and the Midwest and Gulf Coast chipped in to round out the other 0.1-MMbbld year-over-year improvement.

Imports to the nation were at 0.058 MMbbld, down slightly compared to the prior week and virtually unchanged from a year ago. The East Coast received 0.019 MMbbld and the Midwest 0.028 MMbbld. U.S. propane demand for the week was at 1.104 MMbbld, off nearly 0.25 MMbbld from a week earlier and about 0.1 MMbbld lower than last year.