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.

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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

Photo: tttuna/E+/Getty Images

Canadian prime minister’s energy agenda could benefit oil, gas, propane

October 13, 2025 By Gordon Feller

Since taking office, Prime Minister Mark Carney has embarked on a bold, surprising transformation of Canada’s energy landscape.

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This article is tagged with Canada, crude oil, diesel, Electrification, energy, energy policy, exports, fossil fuels, gasoline, government, liquefied natural gas (LNG), LPG, natural gas, natural gas liquids, NGLs, propane, propane distributors, propane infrastructure, propane marketers, propane production, propane retailers, propane supply, renewable energy, tariffs and posted in Blue Flame Blog

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.

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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.

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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

Chart 1: Crude oil - WTI

Declining crude oil supply supports higher propane prices

August 11, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal explains how current trends in crude drilling and production are impacting propane buyers.

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

Chart 1: Crude price and active U.S. oil rigs

Understanding recent crude fundamentals changes

July 14, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal looks at crude fundamentals and their importance to propane buyers.

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

Chart 1: Mt. Belvieu - ETR

Opportunities in propane prices

December 30, 2024 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal looks ahead at propane prices in the new year and beyond, and explains the relationship between propane and crude oil.

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

Top 10: The best of Trader’s Corner 2024

December 23, 2024 By Brian Richesson

As another year comes to a close, we present the top Trader’s Corner articles of 2024, ranked by page views.

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This article is tagged with crude oil, natural gas, propane demand, propane exports, propane inventory, propane prices, propane production, propane supply, Trader's Corner, weather and posted in Blue Flame Blog, Featured

U.S. and Mexico flags photo: themotioncloud/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

EIA: Energy trade value between US, Mexico falls

August 14, 2024 By Brian Richesson

Lower fuel prices more than offset the increase in the volume of energy trade between the two countries.

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This article is tagged with crude oil, electricity, exports, Mexico, natural gas, petroleum, propane, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and posted in Current Issue, From the Magazine, News

Mergers and acquisitions. Photo: designer491/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

WTG acquisition strengthens Energy Transfer’s Permian presence

July 16, 2024 By Brian Richesson

Energy Transfer’s $3.25 billion acquisition of WTG Midstream gives it control of a major midstream player headquartered in Midland, Texas.

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This article is tagged with crude oil, Energy Transfer, fractionation, midstream, natural gas, natural gas liquids, natural gas processing, NGL, pipelines, storage, transportation and posted in Current Issue, From the Magazine, News