Chart 1: U.S. Strategic Petroleum Reserve inventory (Chart courtesy of Cost Management Solutions)

Supports spark rally in crude prices

October 27, 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

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: 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

LPG ship photo: think4photop/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

OPEC’s role in US propane exports

February 18, 2025 By Mark Rachal

This week, Mark Rachal, director of research and publications, explains how OPEC helped the United States become the world’s largest propane exporter.

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This article is tagged with Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), propane exports, Trader's Corner and posted in Blue Flame Blog, Featured

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.

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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 3: US Propane/Propylene Demand 2018 Forward

Propane prices turn lower

September 25, 2023 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal, director of research and publications with Cost Management Solutions, gives an overview of propane prices headed into winter.

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This article is tagged with Conway, Cost Management Solutions, crude, crude prices, crude production, domestic demand, El Niño, Mark Rachal, Mont Belvieu, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), propane demand, propane prices, Trader's Corner, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and posted in Blue Flame Blog

Chart 1: WTI Crude

Part II: Evaluating the state of crude prices

July 17, 2023 By Mark Rachal

The growing strength in crude’s price is a threat to propane retailers trying to hedge against higher prices this winter.

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This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, crude, crude inventory, crude prices, crude production, Mark Rachal, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), propane fundamentals, propane prices, Trader's Corner, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. propane market, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and posted in Blue Flame Blog

Chart 1: Crude and Propane Closing Prices (Credit: Cost Management Solutions)

Is it a good time to buy propane?

May 8, 2023 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal, director of research and publications for Cost Management Solutions, reviews propane’s price and how to determine when to buy.

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This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, crude inventory, energy, Mark Rachal, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), propane demand, propane exports, propane fundamentals, propane inventory, propane prices, propane production, Trader's Corner, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and posted in Blue Flame Blog

Chart 3: North American: Active Rigs Drilling for Natural Gas

Crude, natural gas drilling is slowing

May 1, 2023 By Mark Rachal

In this week’s Trader’s Corner, Mark Rachal analyzes how a slowdown in crude and natural gas drilling could impact propane prices.

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This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, crude inventory, energy, Mark Rachal, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), propane demand, propane exports, propane fundamentals, propane inventory, propane prices, propane production, Trader's Corner, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and posted in Blue Flame Blog

Chart 1: Total U.S. Propane Exports 2018 Forward (Chart: Cost Management Solutions)

Propane exports reach record high

April 24, 2023 By Mark Rachal

In this week’s Trader’s Corner, Mark Rachal, director of research and publications with Cost Management Solutions, analyzes propane exports.

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This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, crude inventory, energy, Mark Rachal, Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC), propane demand, propane exports, propane fundamentals, propane inventory, propane prices, propane production, Trader's Corner, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and posted in Blue Flame Blog