Can the propane industry handle this winter storm?

January 6, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal, director of research and publications, examines how the latest winter storm and falling temperatures could impact propane prices.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, crude prices, Mark Rachal, propane prices, propane pricing, propane traders, Trader's Corner, weather, winter and posted in Blue Flame Blog, Featured

Sorting out Midwest propane inventory confusion

December 9, 2024 By Mark Rachal

This week, Mark Rachal, director of research and publications, parses out a discrepancy in Midwest propane inventory.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, inventory, Mark Rachal, Midwest, propane inventories, propane traders, Trader's Corner, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and posted in Blue Flame Blog, Featured

Propane marketers can reassess and repurpose tank assets that are already in the field to avoid buying new tanks at relatively high prices. (Photo by LP Gas staff)

Could propane prices fall in December?

December 2, 2024 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal explains why propane prices may fall this December.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, crude prices, Mark Rachal, propane prices, propane traders, Trader's Corner and posted in Blue Flame Blog, Featured

Midwest propane inventories on the rise

November 11, 2024 By Mark Rachal

Propane inventories are high everywhere, but it’s the Midwest inventory chart that stands out.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, inventory, Mark Rachal, Midwest, propane inventories, propane inventory, propane traders, Trader's Corner and posted in Blue Flame Blog

Make cleaner propane swaps

October 28, 2024 By Mark Rachal

A current anomaly in Mont Belvieu will force us to fine-tune our propane swaps in the future to make them cleaner.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, financial swaps, Mark Rachal, propane traders, Trader's Corner and posted in Blue Flame Blog

US propane inventories highest ever

October 21, 2024 By Mark Rachal

U.S. propane inventories are the highest they have ever been and may go even higher before the sustained drawdown begins.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, crude inventory, inventory, Mark Rachal, propane inventories, propane prices, propane traders, Trader's Corner, WTI and posted in Blue Flame Blog

Chart 1: Crude and propane closing prices

Propane price movement driven by export terminal maintenance

October 7, 2024 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal describes the events behind the recent change in propane prices.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, crude prices, Mark Rachal, Mont Belvieu, propane prices, propane pricing, propane traders, Trader's Corner and posted in Blue Flame Blog

Imbalances between propane production, export capacity

September 23, 2024 By Mark Rachal

Export economics are wide open for U.S. propane.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, Mark Rachal, propane exports, propane pricing, propane production, propane traders, Trader's Corner and posted in Blue Flame Blog

Chart 1: Belvieu propane percent of crude. (Cost Management Solutions)

Reconsider: Is it a good time to buy propane?

September 9, 2024 By Mark Rachal

Every propane retailer has asked someone or something at one point or another if it is a good time to buy propane.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, crude prices, Mark Rachal, propane prices, propane traders, Trader's Corner and posted in Blue Flame Blog

Chart 1: Mt Belvieu - ETR, current. Cost Management Solutions

Expanding your price protection window

September 3, 2024 By Mark Rachal

It would be wise for propane buyers to expand the time frame in which they obtain price protection beyond one year.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, Mark Rachal, propane prices, propane traders, Trader's Corner and posted in Blue Flame Blog

TAG: propane traders