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

Back to backwardation for crude

February 12, 2024 By Mark Rachal

This week, Mark Rachal of Cost Management Solutions explains why fundamentals are not the only factors impacting commodities trading.

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This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, crude, domestic demand, Mark Rachal, Mont Belvieu, propane demand, propane inventories, propane prices, propane pricing, propane supply and demand, Trader's Corner, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), weather, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), winter and posted in Blue Flame Blog

Chart 1: Total United States Propane/Propylene Inventory 2019 Forward (Cost Management Solutions)

Propane market reaches normalization

February 5, 2024 By Mark Rachal

Despite the recent decline in inventories and the rise in prices, the propane market simply has gone from abnormally bearish to more normalized.

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This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, crude, domestic demand, Mark Rachal, Mont Belvieu, propane demand, propane inventories, propane prices, propane pricing, propane supply and demand, Trader's Corner, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), weather, West Texas Intermediate (WTI), winter and posted in Blue Flame Blog

snow propane tank Photo by Getty Images: Mr-Tobin/iStock / Getty Images Plus

Work safely in cold weather

February 2, 2024 By Benny Gay

Benny Gay, vice president of operational support at ThompsonGas, provides tips and reminders to work safely in cold weather.

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This article is tagged with Benny Gay, propane safety, safety signals, weather, winter, workplace safety and posted in Current Issue, Featured, From the Magazine

Chart 1: Week to Week Propane Inventory Changes

Propane inventory posts largest draw on record

January 29, 2024 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal, director of research and publications at Cost Management Solutions, evaluates the largest propane inventory draw on record.

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

Chart 1: Cost Management Solutions

Closing propane forward positions

January 22, 2024 By Mark Rachal

This week, Mark Rachal, director of research and publications, discusses the process of closing propane forward positions.

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

Chart 3: 8-14 Day Temperature Outlook (Chart: EIA)

Propane market reacts as feared

January 16, 2024 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal, director of research and publications at Cost Management Solutions, discusses rising crude and propane prices.

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

Chart 4: Temperature Outlook for Jan. 11-15, 2024 (Chart: EIA)

Propane inventory adjustment could spike prices

January 8, 2024 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal of Cost Management Solutions discusses the current state of U.S. propane inventory and the expected impact on pricing this winter.

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

Managing supply price risk in the second half of winter

January 2, 2024 By Mark Rachal

This week, Mark Rachal, director of research and publications, analyzes the risk of higher prices in the second half of winter.

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This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, customer retention, domestic demand, Mark Rachal, propane demand, propane prices, propane supply and demand, Trader's Corner, weather, winter and posted in Blue Flame Blog

Photo: tttuna/E+/Getty Images

Recapping 2023 with ‘wonderful propane’

December 28, 2023 By Brian Richesson

Opportunities await for those who educate people outside of the industry about the many possibilities and advantages of propane.

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This article is tagged with autogas fleets, autogas school bus, December 2023, Electrification, fleets, Heat Pump Helper (HPH), hydronic heating technology, Opening Delivery, power generation, Propane Education & Research Council (PERC), weather and posted in Blue Flame Blog, Current Issue, From the Magazine

Top 10: The best of Trader’s Corner 2023

December 26, 2023 By Brian Richesson

This year’s Trader’s Corner reports featured records, refreshers and other market insights from Mark Rachal of Cost Management Solutions.

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This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, customer retention, domestic demand, heating oil, heating season, Mark Rachal, propane demand, propane suppliers, propane supply and demand, Trader's Corner, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), weather, winter and posted in Blue Flame Blog