<article><p>US NGL exports dropped sharply in March from a record high level as foggy conditions blocked shipments from two key export terminals along the Houston Ship Channel.</p><p>Total NGL exports dropped by 27pc in March to 748,000 b/d. The steep decline was led by a fall in propane exports, which slipped by 191,000 b/d to 470,000 b/d. The prior month's export levels were the highest on record at 661,000 b/d. </p><p>Exports of pentanes plus, or natural gasoline, were also sharply lower. Shipments dropped by 40pc to 133,000 b/d as Canadian diluent demand softened on warmer weather and lower production. Ethane exports dropped 16,000 b/d to 55,000 b/d, while butane exports firmed by 27,000 b/d to 85,000 b/d and isobutane shipments dropped by 2,000 b/d to 5,000 b/d. </p><p>Canada maintained its status as the top LPG importer in March at 2.63mn bl. North American imports totaled 3.61mn bl including Mexico's shipments.</p><p>But the largest volumes of LPG were shipped to Asia Pacific. China took in 2.17mn bl, while Japan imported 1.16mn and Singapore brought in 1.05mn bl.</p><p>Exports to Europe were strong with 2.37mn bl moving to the Netherlands, and 1.02mn bl shipped to the United Kingdom.</p><p>Latin American imports were dominated by Ecuador, which absorbed 1.28mn bl. </p><p>lb/tdf</p><p><br> Send comments to <a href="mailto:feedback@argusmedia.com" target="_parent"> feedback@argusmedia.com </a></p><p><u><a href="http://www.argusmedia.com/Info/General/News" target="_TOP"> Request more information </a></u> about Argus' energy and commodity news, data and analysis services. </p><p><i> Copyright © 2015 Argus Media Ltd - <a href="http://www.argusmedia.com/" target="_TOP"> www.argusmedia.com </a> - All rights reserved. </i></p></article>
