Posts by Mark Rachal

Underestimating January propane exports Posted on 11 Apr 2016 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

Last week in Trader’s Corner, we discussed the perplexingly high amount of propane demand being reported. This week, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released information that supported the point made... Read more»

Understanding perplexing propane demand Posted on 04 Apr 2016 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

For the week ending March 25, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported U.S. propane/propylene demand at 1.069 million barrels per day (bpd), a number considerably higher than the 893,000 bpd... Read more»

US propane inventory could reach highest post-winter level on record Posted on 21 Mar 2016 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

The dramatic fall in U.S. propane inventory slowed two weeks ago and came to a full stop for the week ending March 11. For that week, the Energy Information Administration... Read more»

Measuring the impact of Canada’s propane supply picture on the US market Posted on 14 Mar 2016 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

Cost Management Solutions has always been impressed by the abilities of the Canadian propane industry. It seems to adapt to changes and challenges quickly and often appears to be well... Read more»

Maximizing the benefits of financial swaps Posted on 07 Mar 2016 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

After being in a downtrend since January 2014, propane prices could be at the beginning of a long-term uptrend. It is a prospect that has many propane retailers interested in... Read more»

Increased exports a game changer for propane prices Posted on 29 Feb 2016 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

In recent issues of Trader’s Corner, we’ve focused on the hefty draw on U.S. propane inventory. Since the beginning of the year, total propane inventory has declined 29.601 million barrels.... Read more»

Sharp fall in US and Gulf Coast propane inventory Posted on 22 Feb 2016 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

In recent weeks, we’ve monitored the sharp decline in U.S. propane inventory. On Feb. 18, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released its Weekly Petroleum Status Report for the week ending... Read more»

Surging propane-to-crude values, inventory dynamics increase upside price risk Posted on 16 Feb 2016 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

In last week’s Trader’s Corner, we looked at the sharp two-week fall in U.S. propane inventory. For the week ending Feb. 5, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a 3.288-million-barrel... Read more»

Big draws on propane inventory a warning to retailers Posted on 08 Feb 2016 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

From Jan. 15 through Jan. 29, U.S. propane inventories fell 11.857 million barrels.   On average over the last five years, the same two-week period has averaged a draw of... Read more»

When will crude prices swing upward? Posted on 01 Feb 2016 in the Blue Flame Blog categories.

It is highly probable that the crude pricing pendulum has finally reached the point of equilibrium and is ready to swing into an upward trajectory. The chart above shows West... Read more»