U.S. Propane Inventories Climb Another 1.9 MMbbl
Monday, September 1, 2014
U.S. propane stocks the week ended Aug. 22 added another 1.9 MMbbl, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) in its Aug. 27 “This Week in Petroleum” report. As of that reporting period, the nation’s supplies stood at 74.7 MMbbl, 12.6 MMbbl, or 20.4%, higher than a year ago. Gulf Coast volumes increased by 1 MMbbl, the Midwest by 0.6 MMbbl, and the East Coast and Rocky Mountain/West Coast region by 0.1 MMbbl each. Propylene non-fuel-use volumes represented 5% of total propane inventories, off from 5.5% the previous week.
Spots Edge Fractionally Higher
Monday, September 1, 2014
Spot propane at Mont Belvieu and Conway, Kan. headed a bit higher Thursday compared to the Monday email Update, but just fractionally. Belvieu values were up a half cent to 0.625 cents, while Conway gained a half cent, bringing the Midwest trading hub to 1.25 cents under Texas. Market watchers note that, until recently, Conway propane had consistently traded at a premium to Mont Belvieu.
COMMENTARY Most Postings Slide
Monday, September 1, 2014
Most principal postings were fractionally lower Thursday compared to the Monday email Update, sliding a minimum of a quarter cent and at most a penny. However, a few sellers held their early-week prices, and two postings rose on TEPPCO and at Mont Belvieu.

Postings on the Dixie Pipeline at Apex, N.C. shed a half cent to as much as 0.75 cents or stayed the same, shifting prices to a low of 114.25 cents and a high of 115.00 cents/gal. At Conway, Kan., postings gave up 0.75 cents to a penny, and prices were from 104.50 to 105.07 cents.
Canadian Propane Inventories Climb Again
Monday, September 1, 2014
Canadian underground propane inventories rose another 38.7% in July to reach 1460.8 Mcm as of Aug. 1, the equivalent of 9.2 MMbbl, according to the National Energy Board (NEB). The nation’s stocks gained 407.6 Mcm month over month to mark a 39.8%, or 416.2 Mcm, improvement over the same period last year, the agency reports. The latest build follows a 50.5% increase in June that brought volumes to 1053.2 Mcm, or 6.6 MMbbl.
NPGA, PERC Urge Marketers To Adopt Campaign Materials
Monday, September 1, 2014
The National Propane Gas Association and the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) are urging propane marketers to incorporate materials from PERC’s Consumer Safety Preparedness Campaign in their operations in the lead-up to the winter heating season. The materials are designed to assist businesses to prepare heat customers for cold weather and avoid any repeat of last season’s supply and logistics problems.
RRC Commissioner Raises Concerns of Border Security
Monday, September 1, 2014
Railroad Commission of Texas (RRC) commissioner David Porter has sent a letter to U.S. Customers and Border Protection (CBP) commissioner R. Gil Kerlikowske questioning the agency’s commitment to border security and the protection of U.S. interests and infrastructure. Porter’s concern stems from several published reports detailing unsettling communication between ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Mexican cartels.
NYPGA Launches Incentive For Autogas Purchases
Monday, September 1, 2014
The New York Propane Gas Association (NYPGA) is administering a rebate program for state residents who purchase or convert a vehicle with a propane system. One $5000 rebate is available for one vehicle per fleet, and vehicles must be registered in New York State. Finally, fuel systems must be certified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and/or the California Air Resources Board.
June Topping Off...
Monday, June 2, 2014
…The multiple advantages of adopting propane-powered mowers can be demonstrated to landscape professionals with a case study of Carson’s Nurseries in Springfield, Mo. The study highlights that in addition to fuel savings, the Ozarks-based nursery and landscaping company has become more competitive when bidding. The case study is available as a free download at
propanemarc.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=4697, or for purchase in packs of 25…
Shale Drives $120 Billion in LNG Projects in North America
Monday, June 2, 2014
The shale gas boom in North America has triggered a massive buildup of LNG infrastructure, with companies investing a whopping $120 billion in a bid to capture a slice of the lucrative global market, according to Lux Research. The shale gas revolution has meant dirt-cheap gas for U.S. companies and consumers, but the export infrastructure being built today could mean rising domestic cost as the global market balances.
Senators Urge Obama to Critically Eye Gas Exports
Monday, June 2, 2014
U.S. Sens. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and Edward Markey (D-Mass.), along with an additional 20 senators, are urging President Obama to consider the impacts on American manufacturing and families that rely on natural gas for heat when considering approval of new natural gas export facilities. The Democrats were joined by a single Republican supporter, Susan Collins of Maine.
Regency to Construct New Processing Facility, Pipeline
Monday, June 2, 2014
Regency Energy Partners LP (Dallas) will construct a new processing plant and NGL pipeline at its Dubberly facility in north Louisiana. The project will include the addition of a 200-MMcfd cryogenic processing plant, which will accept gas directly from Regency’s recently completed Dubberly gathering trunk line. The residue outlet for the facility will be the Regency Intrastate Gas System.
NFIB: Health Insurance Tax To Cost Private-Sector Jobs
Monday, June 2, 2014
The National Federation of Independent Business’s (NFIB) Research Foundation has released an updated study showing the significant number of jobs that will be lost by the Health Insurance Tax (HIT) has a result of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA). The study is available at nfib.com/hitcost.
New Conversion Kits Offered For Commercial Lawn Mowers
Monday, June 2, 2014
Landscape professionals have another option for converting commercial mowers to clean, American-made propane with new Environmental Protection Agency-certified conversion kits by Hendrix Progressive Fuel Technologies (Wauconda, Ill.) The EPA certification also qualifies the kit for a $500 incentive through the Propane Education & Research Council’s (PERC) Propane Mower Incentive Program.
Household Heating Expenditures Expected to Rise 54% Over Winter
Monday, June 2, 2014
Average expenditures for U.S. households heating primarily with propane, located mainly in the Midwest and Northeast, are expected to be 54% higher for the most recent winter compared to the previous heating season, reports the Energy Information Administration (EIA). At the same time, expenditures for homes using fueloil are forecast to be 7% higher; natural gas 10% higher; and electricity 5% higher.
Hess Completes Expansion Of Tioga, N.D. Gas Plant
Monday, June 2, 2014
Hess Corp. (New York, N.Y.) has completed the expansion of its Tioga Gas Plant in North Dakota, which more than doubles the operational capacity of the facility. The project was part of a more than $1.5-billion infrastructure investment made by Hess between 2012 and 2014 in the Peace Garden State that has significantly increased production of propane, butane, natural gasoline, ethane, and methane.
Governor’s Order Shields Parks From Surface Disturbance
Monday, June 2, 2014
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Corbett has issued an executive order prohibiting leasing for natural gas development in state parks and forests that would result in additional long-term surface disturbance. The order allows natural gas to be extracted from deep beneath the surface only when there will be no additional long-term disturbances on state forest and park lands.
Conway Spots Dip, Belvieu Little Changed
Monday, June 2, 2014
Spot propane at Conway dipped a penny Thursday compared to the Friday, May 23 email Update, while Mont Belvieu trading in non-LST product had scratched out a meager quarter-cent gain. LST had not moved. Early-week activity saw propane at both hubs trading higher coming off the long Memorial Day weekend, with deals getting done at Conway in the 103.50-104.00 cents/gal. range and Belvieu at 105.75-106.625 cents/gal.
EPA Proposing Stricter Air Standards for Refineries
Monday, June 2, 2014
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is proposing to update toxic air-pollution standards for petroleum refineries “to protect neighborhoods located near refineries.” The agency’s “common-sense” proposal would further reduce flaring and other processes and includes new monitoring requirements. EPA comments that exposure to toxic air pollutants such as benzene can cause respiratory problems and other serious health issues.
Enterprise Begins Exports From Beaumont Terminal
Monday, June 2, 2014
Enterprise Products Partners LP (Houston) has begun exports of refined products from its reactivated marine terminal in Beaumont, Texas. Located on the Neches River, the terminal can load at rates up to 15,000 bbl/hr. The facility includes a dock with a 40-ft draft that can accommodate Panamax-size vessels that have a capacity of up to 400,000 bbl.
COMMENTARY Postings Edge Higher
Monday, June 2, 2014
Principal postings Thursday edged higher compared to the Friday, May 23 email update, gaining as little as a quarter cent but as much as 1.5 cents. A few sellers held their early-week prices, most significantly in the Midwest.

Postings on the Dixie Pipeline at Apex, N.C. were up that same 0.25 to 1.5 cents, although a single wholesaler held firm. Prices were from 113.70 to 116.50 cents/gal. At Conway, Kan., one posting rose a half cent, while no others moved, and prices were from 106.00 to 107.07 cents.
Canadian Infrastructure Projects Gain First-Mover Advantage
Monday, June 2, 2014
While the U.S. procrastinates, Canada is taking concrete action to ensure its ability to increase crude exports into both the Atlantic and Pacific basins with the development of new pipelines, says an analyst with the research and consulting firm GlobalData. According to Carmine Rositano, GlobalData’s managing analyst covering downstream oil and gas, Canada is developing infrastructure, including the proposed East Energy Access Pipeline project, on both its west and east coasts.
U.S. Propane Inventories Unchanged for Week
Monday, March 17, 2014
U.S. propane stocks as of the week ended Feb. 21 were unchanged from the previous week, with overall inventories standing at 26.7 MMbbl, 21.2 MMbbl, or 44.3%, lower than the comparable period a year ago, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA) in its Feb. 26 “This Week in Petroleum” report. Volumes in the Gulf Coast and Rocky Mountain/West Coast region both fell by 0.1 MMbbl, while Midwest and East Coast supplies each rose by 0.1 MMbbl.