Chart 1: U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve inventory (Chart courtesy of Cost Management Solutions)

Supports spark rally in crude prices

October 28, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Since Oct. 20, crude prices have surged higher, and several developments are behind the increase, writes Mark Rachal of Cost Management Solutions.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, crude, crude oil, crude prices, Mark Rachal, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), Trader's Corner and posted in Blue Flame Blog, Featured

Propane pricing reflects oversupplied market

October 20, 2025 By Mark Rachal

This week, Mark Rachal, director of research and publications, examines the current propane pricing environment.

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

Chart 1: Total U.S. propane/propylene inventory

Propane inventory draw not concerning

October 14, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal examines the most recent Energy Information Administration status report.

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

Chart 1: Crude weekly commercial inventories

Following up on refinery utilization

October 7, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal, director of research and publications, revisits the topic of refinery utilization leading up to heating season.

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

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine occurred near the end of the winter heating season, adding to market volatility. (Photo: sandsun/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images)

Energy as a weapon in Russia’s invasion of Ukraine

September 30, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal looks back on the 3 1/2 years since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, Europe, Mark Rachal, tariffs, Trader's Corner, Ukraine and posted in Blue Flame Blog, Featured

Propane demand ahead of the winter heating season

September 23, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal compares current propane demand to past averages.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, Mark Rachal, propane demand, propane production, propane supply, Trader's Corner, winter and posted in Blue Flame Blog, Featured

Chart 1: Total United States propane/propylene inventory

Where propane inventories stand as winter nears

September 15, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal examines the current state of propane inventories.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, Gulf Coast propane inventory, Mark Rachal, Midwest, propane inventories, Trader's Corner, U.S. propane inventory, winter and posted in Blue Flame Blog, Featured

Getting ahead of rising propane prices

September 8, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal discusses strategies for price protection in the face of rising propane prices.

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

Chart 1: Brent crude price premium to WTI crude

What the future holds for crude prices

September 2, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal analyzes Goldman Sachs’ predictions for crude prices and supply.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, crude inventory, crude oil, crude prices, Mark Rachal, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), propane traders, Trader's Corner, Ukraine and posted in Blue Flame Blog, Featured

Chart 1: Total petroleum products supplied

Energy demand not slowing down

August 26, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal looks at how refineries have tried to keep up with energy demand, and explains why the current trends it may be unsustainable.

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

TAG: Trader’s Corner