Posts by Mark Rachal

Can the US replace Russia’s oil and gas supply to Europe? Posted on 15 Mar 2022 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

Mark Rachal, director of research and publications at Cost Management Solutions, examines the ability of the U.S. to supply Europe with oil and gas. Read more»

Can the US stop Russian energy imports and supply Europe? Posted on 08 Mar 2022 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

Mark Rachal, director of research and publications for Cost Management Solutions, examines the U.S. energy position in light of the events in Ukraine. Read more»

Propane inventory getting tighter Posted on 01 Mar 2022 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

Mark Rachal, director of research and publications for Cost Management Solutions, examines why propane inventory is getting tighter. Read more»

Examining Mont Belvieu, Conway price spread Posted on 22 Feb 2022 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

Mark Rachal, director of research and publications for Cost Management Solutions, examines why prices between Mont Belvieu and Conway are closing. Read more»

Setting expectations for next-winter pricing Posted on 14 Feb 2022 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

Mark Rachal, with Cost Management Solutions, addresses propane prices and explains how to set expectations for next winter. Read more»

Comparing current propane market conditions to 2014 Posted on 08 Feb 2022 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

Mark Rachal, director of research and publications for Cost Management Solutions, addresses propane prices and makes comparisons to conditions in 2014. Read more»

Setting propane price expectations Posted on 01 Feb 2022 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

As things stand now, which is what we must base decisions upon, it is looking more like an entry point to hedge winter propane anywhere sub-dollar is feasible. Read more»

When to use swaps versus physicals Posted on 25 Jan 2022 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

Amid volatility in propane prices, Mark Rachal of Cost Management Solutions explains the difference between two financial tools: swaps and physicals. Read more»

Year-end data sheds light on supply and demand trends Posted on 19 Jan 2022 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

EIA data shows that propane demand exceeded supply, resulting in a 10-million-barrel draw in propane inventory. That helped support higher propane prices. Read more»

Where propane prices will start next winter Posted on 10 Jan 2022 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

Mark Rachal expands an analysis of historical market trends to determine guidance on where propane prices might start during next winter. Read more»