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 2: Crude Price and Active U.S. Oil Rigs Click to enlarge Credit: Cost Management Solutions

Evaluating the state of crude prices

July 10, 2023 By Mark Rachal

If crude prices stay where they are or trend higher, it won’t take much improvement in the propane fundamental picture to see a rapid rise in propane’s price.

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This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, crude prices, crude production, Mark Rachal, propane fundamentals, propane prices, Trader's Corner, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Ukraine, West Texas Intermediate (WTI) and posted in Blue Flame Blog

Taxes and the shift to lower sulfur diesel influence prices in the U.S. (Photo courtesy of Drew James Productions)

Diesel settles: Prices moderate as panic buying eases

June 20, 2023 By Phillip M. Perry

The global nature of diesel has led to its elevated pricing in the U.S., despite the nation’s export of roughly 1 million barrels of the distillate every day.

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This article is tagged with autogas, bobtail drivers, Cummins, diesel, drivers, emissions, Environmental Protection Agency, Europe, fossil fuels, medium-duty trucks, Phillips 66, truck drivers, trucks, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), Ukraine and posted in Current Issue, Featured, From the Magazine

Cutline: Propane industry members meet with U.S. Rep. Bob Latta, R-Ohio, during Propane Days last week in Washington, D.C. (Photo: LP Gas staff)

Storage opportunities sought through farm bill, CFATS program

June 12, 2023 By Brian Richesson

During the Propane Days lobbying event last week in Washington, D.C., issues discussed were related to the supply and pricing of propane.

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This article is tagged with energy, energy legislation, legislation, Propane Days, propane demand, propane inventory, propane prices, propane pricing, Trader's Corner, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. propane inventory and posted in Blue Flame Blog

Chart 1: Total U.S. Propane/Propylene Inventory 2018 Forward Click to enlarge. (Cost Management Solutions)

Inventory position has changed price curve

June 5, 2023 By Mark Rachal

In this week’s Trader’s Corner, Mark Rachal analyzes the latest propane inventory build and how it will impact the forward price of propane.

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This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, energy, Mark Rachal, Mont Belvieu, propane demand, propane inventory, propane prices, propane pricing, Trader's Corner, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. propane inventory and posted in Blue Flame Blog

2022-23 winter propane consumption lowest since at least 2010

June 5, 2023 By Brian Richesson

Many propane industry members described the 2022-23 winter as mild. Now the U.S. Energy Information Administration has the data to prove it.

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This article is tagged with propane consumption, propane demand, propane inventory, propane prices, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), winter and posted in Current Issue, From the Magazine, News

Chart 1: Total U.S. Propane/Propylene Inventory 2018 Forward (Cost Management Solutions)

Propane inventories are setting five-year highs

May 30, 2023 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal, director of research and publications for Cost Management Solutions, analyzes why propane inventories are still setting five-year highs.

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This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, energy, Mark Rachal, National Propane Gas Association (NPGA), propane demand, propane exports, propane fundamentals, propane inventories, propane inventory, Trader's Corner, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), U.S. propane inventory and posted in Blue Flame Blog

Photo: tttuna/E+/Getty Images

How hedging differs in the propane industry

May 22, 2023 By Mark Rachal

This week, Mark Rachal, director of research and publications with Cost Management Solutions, explains hedging in the propane industry.

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

Chart 1: U.S. Propane/Propylene Demand (Chart: Cost Management Solutions)

Reactions to record low US propane demand

May 15, 2023 By Mark Rachal

This week, Mark Rachal, director of research and publications at Cost Management Solutions, discusses U.S. propane demand reaching a record low.

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This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, energy, Mark Rachal, propane demand, propane exports, propane fundamentals, propane inventory, Trader's Corner, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 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