U.S. sales of odorized propane rebounded from five straight years of declines, totaling 8.8 billion gallons and gaining 14 percent in the American Petroleum Institute’s (API) latest annual report, tracking state-by-state volumes and market trends. API’s “2013 Sales of Natural Gas Liquids and Liquefied Refinery Gases” report, released Dec. 8, also reveals a rally in the residential market, which also... read more
Last year’s brutal winter had a lasting impact on a number of propane retailers and the drivers hauling their propane. With this winter heating season underway, let’s look back on the winter of 2013-14 with Jimmy Ainsworth, vice president of transportation for Ferrell North America. LP Gas: Ferrell North America sources propane from more than 180 different terminals. How many... read more
President Barack Obama signed the Propane Education and Research Enhancement Act of 2014 into law on Dec. 18. The bill could help lift a U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) restriction on the Propane Education & Research Council’s (PERC) consumer outreach activities. “This bill is a significant win for both propane consumers and the industry,” said Rick Roldan, president and CEO... read more
The Pro-Vend 2000 propane autogas fuel dispenser features a secure, web-based fuel management system, says Superior Energy Systems. According to Superior, the Pro-Vend 2000 allows customers to track driver identification and vehicle mileage. It can also create customizable reports without the need to purchase and install separate technology. A self-contained touchscreen system makes refueling a simple process, the company adds,... read more
As I travel and meet with propane marketers, I emphasize a common theme. Do what’s safe. Do what’s right for your customers. Do what’s right for your business. All three of these can and should be aligned. Some common gaps I see: Missing and incomplete paperwork. While marketers strive to document appropriate activities (gas check, leak check, safety inspections, etc.),... read more
MFA Oil named Jon Ihler as the company’s vice president of sales and marketing. Ihler will oversee sales, marketing, quality control and oil distribution warehouses in his position. He will also oversee APM LLC, the dealer and wholesale company that MFA Oil acquired in 2013. Prior to the promotion, Ihler worked as the business development manager and director of sales... read more
LP Gas added an associate editor to its staff in Megan Wilkinson, a 2014 graduate of Kent State University. Wilkinson earned a bachelor’s degree in magazine journalism. She has experience with two other business magazines and two daily newspapers over the last three years. Chloe Kalin also joined LP Gas as marketing and sales manager for the magazine’s Buyers’ Guide. Kalin... read more
Enterprise Products Partners LP started a binding open season to seek shipper support for a proposed expansion of the portion of its Panola Pipeline Co. LLC natural gas liquids (NGLs) system between Carthage, Texas, and Mont Belvieu, Texas. Enterprise says the project is designed to support Haynesville Shale producers and Cotton Valley, La., oil and gas producers with better access... read more
Energy Distribution Partners (EDP) hired Mark Zimora to direct its U.S. propane operations. The company says he has more than 25 years of executive and operational leadership experience with public and family-owned propane businesses. He joins company principals Tom Knauff, Marlo Young and Brett Krause at EDP, which currently has operations in Ohio, Minnesota, and California. read more
Aux Sable Liquid Products LP has planned a $130 million growth project that will increase the fractionation capacity of its extraction and fractionation facilities in Channahon, Ill., by about 24,500 barrels per day (bpd). According to a press release, Aux Sable’s extraction and fractionation facilities in Channahon are currently capable of processing 2.1 billion cubic feet per day of natural... read more
