Light inventory build
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported U.S. propane
inventories up just 263,000 barrels for the week ending Sept 27. The small
build put inventories at 97.823 million barrels, 3.585 million barrels, 3.5%
below last year and 7.41% higher than the five-year average for week 39 of
the year. It is possible impacts from Hurricane Francine and the accident on
the Energy Transfer Justice Y-grade pipeline were still impacting this data.
A survey ahead of the report showed an average expectation for a 2.1 millionbarrel build. Over the last five years inventory had averaged a 1.844 millionbarrel build during week 39. Ready-for-sale propane stocks were down
395,000 barrels to 68.329 million barrels. That was 69.8% of the total
propane/propylene inventory.
U.S. propane production was 15,000 bpd to 2.687 million bpd. Propane
imports were down 17,000 bpd to 86,000 bpd. Combined supply was down
2,000 bpd. U.S. domestic propane demand was down 453,000 bpd to
879,000 bpd while propane exports increased 193,000 bpd to 1.857 million
bpd. Combined demand was down 260,000 bpd. Overall it was a 258,000
bpd positive impact on U.S. propane supply resulting in an inventory of 37,000 bpd compared to a draw of 221,000 bpd the previous week.
Propane prices continued to adjust from the craziness in the second half of September brought on by issues at propane export facilities. The month-to-month spread at MB ETR closed from 19 cents to 2.25¢ and the spread between MB
ETR and ENT was at 3¢ at the end of the day after being 17¢ at the end of September. ETR is now back above
Conway by 2¢ and trading at 45% of WTI crude.
