Posts by Mark Rachal

February brings arctic air and red-hot propane demand Posted on 16 Feb 2021 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

U.S. domestic demand for propane increased a whopping 714,000 barrels per day (bpd) during the fifth week of the year to 2.204 million bpd. Read more»

Buying propane for winter 2021-22 might be a good value Posted on 09 Feb 2021 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

If we can pluck good news from propane prices, it would be that next winter's prices are much lower than the current prices. Read more»

Low inventory relative to demand places upward pressure on prices Posted on 02 Feb 2021 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

Days of supply measures available inventory to demand. As long as days of supply are trending lower, prices are certainly going to feel upward pressure. Read more»

Demand, inventory fluctuations lead to big price swing Posted on 26 Jan 2021 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

Since last week’s Trader’s Corner, there was a dramatic change in U.S. propane prices. The change began after the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday. Read more»

Protecting margins when propane prices rise rapidly Posted on 20 Jan 2021 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

The quick gains in propane prices like those experienced this past week can have an immediate impact on a retail company’s bottom line. Read more»

Fundamentals point to higher propane prices this winter Posted on 12 Jan 2021 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

As long as export demand remains strong, there is likely to be continued pressure on inventory and thus support for propane prices. Read more»

Big draw on propane inventory keeps market bullish Posted on 04 Jan 2021 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

Propane inventories are still more than adequate, but the focus is on the trends. How will these trends change in 2021? Read more»

Propane prices on a rally this winter Posted on 28 Dec 2020 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

Despite ample inventories, U.S. propane prices have appreciated markedly this winter, with most of the gain coming in the last few weeks. Read more»

Canadian propane producers slow exports to US Posted on 07 Dec 2020 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

It has been a curious year to watch the build in Canadian propane inventory. Mark Rachal offers a look at why producers are slowing exports to the U.S. Read more»

Winter is coming: A look at propane inventory going into peak demand season Posted on 30 Nov 2020 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

Mark Rachal of Cost Management Solutions takes a close look at propane inventory trends ahead of peak demand season. Read more»