Propane marketers can reassess and repurpose tank assets that are already in the field to avoid buying new tanks at relatively high prices. (Photo by LP Gas staff)

Propane speculation for retailers

January 27, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal explains how propane retailers can take long and short positions on propane.

Read More

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

Chart 1: Crude and propane closing prices

The dreaded propane price spike

January 21, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal examines the recent price spikes in both crude and propane prices.

Read More

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

Belvieu price averages

A look back at 2024 propane pricing

January 13, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal looks back at propane prices in 2024 to get a baseline for decisions on 2025-26 price protection.

Read More

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

Map 1: 6-10 day temperature outlook

Can the propane industry handle this winter storm?

January 6, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal, director of research and publications, examines how the latest winter storm and falling temperatures could impact propane prices.

Read More

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, crude prices, Mark Rachal, propane prices, propane pricing, propane traders, Trader's Corner, weather, winter 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.

Read More

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

Chart 1: Midwest propane inventory

Sorting out Midwest propane inventory confusion

December 9, 2024 By Mark Rachal

This week, Mark Rachal, director of research and publications, parses out a discrepancy in Midwest propane inventory.

Read More

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

Propane marketers can reassess and repurpose tank assets that are already in the field to avoid buying new tanks at relatively high prices. (Photo by LP Gas staff)

Could propane prices fall in December?

December 2, 2024 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal explains why propane prices may fall this December.

Read More

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

Photo by LP Gas staff

Use swaps, pre-buys and physicals to manage risk

November 25, 2024 By Mark Rachal

Cost Management Solutions discusses three tools that propane retailers can use to manage supply side risk.

Read More

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

Chart 1: Midwest propane inventories

Midwest propane inventories on the rise

November 11, 2024 By Mark Rachal

Propane inventories are high everywhere, but it’s the Midwest inventory chart that stands out.

Read More

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, inventory, Mark Rachal, Midwest, propane inventories, propane inventory, propane traders, Trader's Corner and posted in Blue Flame Blog

Chart 1: MB ETR/ENT spread.

Make cleaner propane swaps

October 28, 2024 By Mark Rachal

A current anomaly in Mont Belvieu will force us to fine-tune our propane swaps in the future to make them cleaner.

Read More

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