Chart 1: Belvieu propane percent of crude. (Cost Management Solutions)

Reconsider: Is it a good time to buy propane?

September 9, 2024 By Mark Rachal

Every propane retailer has asked someone or something at one point or another if it is a good time to buy propane.

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

Chart 1: Mt Belvieu - ETR, current. Cost Management Solutions

Expanding your price protection window

September 3, 2024 By Mark Rachal

It would be wise for propane buyers to expand the time frame in which they obtain price protection beyond one year.

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

Rail car photo: Brian Brown/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

Major impacts averted in Canadian railway labor dispute

August 28, 2024 By Brian Richesson

Compared to the same time period last summer, rail-car volumes from Canada were about 50 percent lower immediately after the lockout ended, NPGA says.

This article is tagged with Canada, Canadian Propane Association (CPA), Cost Management Solutions, Mark Rachal, National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), propane supply, rail and posted in Current Issue, From the Magazine, News

Chart 1: Total U.S. propane imports 2019 forward

Rail strike, big propane export numbers explained

August 26, 2024 By Mark Rachal

In this week’s Trader’s Corner, Mark Rachal covers propane export and import data to contextualize the impact of the Canadian rail strikes.

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

Chart 1: Total United States propane/propylene inventory (Chart: Cost Management Solutions)

Propane inventories surpass 90 million barrels

August 19, 2024 By Mark Rachal

For the week ending Aug. 9, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported U.S. propane inventories exceeded the 90-million-barrel mark.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, Mark Rachal, propane exports, propane inventories, propane supply and demand, Trader's Corner, U.S. propane inventory and posted in Blue Flame Blog

Chart 1: Total United States Propane/Propylene Inventory

Propane price protection preserves customers

August 12, 2024 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal explains why retailers might consider propane price protection to shield customers from price fluctuations this winter.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, customer retention, domestic demand, heating oil, heating season, Mark Rachal, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), propane demand, propane suppliers, propane supply and demand, propane traders, Trader's Corner, weather, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), winter and posted in Blue Flame Blog

Chart 1: Crude and propane closing prices, recent price history. Cost Management Solutions

Buy window for propane finally open again

August 5, 2024 By Mark Rachal

The buy window for propane has opened again for the first time since the end of May.

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

Price protection: Getting ahead of the curve

July 29, 2024 By Mark Rachal

The summer months are usually the buying season for propane retailers trying to get price protection against higher prices for the upcoming winter, but propane retailers willing to plan further out can get ahead of the curve.

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

Chart 1: Total U.S. Propane Exports 2019 Forward

Crude inventory pattern impacts propane prices

July 22, 2024 By Mark Rachal

Propane buyers interested in getting protection against higher prices this winter have been hoping the recent run-up in propane prices would reverse itself and give them an opportunity to obtain that protection at a more favorable price.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, crude inventory, exports, Gulf Coast, Gulf Coast propane inventory, inventory, Mark Rachal, propane exports, propane inventory, Trader's Corner and posted in Blue Flame Blog

Chart 1: Total US Propane Exports 2019 Forward (Chart courtesy of CMS)

Inventory movement raises questions about propane prices

July 15, 2024 By Mark Rachal

Improving the inventory position on the Gulf Coast will bring relief to propane markets and perhaps take some of the pressure off propane prices.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, export, Gulf Coast, Gulf Coast propane inventory, Mark Rachal, Midwest, propane inventories, propane inventory, propane price, propane prices, propane pricing, Trader's Corner and posted in Blue Flame Blog

TAG: Mark Rachal