Posts by Mark Rachal

Has the change in price trend begun? Posted on 03 Feb 2020 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

In this issue of Trader's Corner, Cost Management Solutions takes a look at how and why propane prices rebounded from January 2016 through October 2018. Read more»

How to take advantage of opportunity Posted on 28 Jan 2020 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

In recent weeks, Trader’s Corner has looked at the reasons for the ultra-low price environment that has developed for U.S. propane. We have explored what happened with propane prices during... Read more»

Timing and opportunity Posted on 21 Jan 2020 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

As propane inventory rises, prices tend to fall, and as inventory falls, prices tend to rise. But we also noted some exceptions. Read more»

Prices and inventory inversely correlated – with exceptions Posted on 13 Jan 2020 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

Propane inventory positions are a reflection of all underlying fundamental conditions, such as production, imports, exports and domestic demand. Read more»

Year of Production Posted on 07 Jan 2020 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

Image: Cost Management Solutions. Click to expand. As we look back on 2019 concerning propane, we would have to call it the year of production. Last week in Trader’s Corner,... Read more»

Propane prices fall mid-winter Posted on 30 Dec 2019 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

It is the middle of winter, yet propane prices are falling even as crude prices rise. Read more»

Dissecting EIA’s latest report Posted on 16 Dec 2019 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

This past Wednesday, the Energy Information Administration released its Weekly Petroleum Status Report, showing data collected for the week ending Dec. 6. Read more»

Reviewing natural gas’ relationship to propane Posted on 02 Dec 2019 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

Natural gas fundamentals are very important for propane retailers to monitor, since 80 percent of propane supply comes from natural gas processing. Read more»

Drilled/uncompleted well inventory drops as drilling activity slows Posted on 25 Nov 2019 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

Drilled/uncompleted well inventory drops as drilling activity slows. U.S. producers have been drilling oil wells faster than they could complete them. Read more»

Mont Belvieu/Conway price differential declines Posted on 18 Nov 2019 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

In this Trader’s Corner, we will focus on the changes in the price relationship between Mont Belvieu and Conway, Kansas, between last year and now. Read more»