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US LPG exports hit record in April

  • Spanish Market: LPG
  • 27/06/14

US LPG exports hit a record high of 506,000 b/d in April, up 22pc from March, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said today.

The previous record was set in December 2013, when the US shipped 431,000 b/d abroad. Exports slowed during the first quarter of 2014 as robust crop drying demand, cold winter temperatures and spiking exports sparked North American propane supply shortages.

Total NGL exports, which the EIA defines as natural gas plant liquids, also hit a record high of 697,000 b/d in April, up 20pc month-over-month from 581,000 b/d. In the EIA analysis, NGL totals include pentanes plus, or natural gasoline.

Of total LPG exports, propane made up 81.8pc at 414,000 b/d, while butane exports totaled 75,000 b/d.

The EIA pegs April ethane exports at 17,000 b/d. Movement of ethane into Canada began in February, according to the agency. Earlier this month Nova Chemical began cracking US-produced ethane at its 771,000 t/y Joffre, Alberta, ethylene plant. The cracker is sourced via the 40,000 b/d Vantage pipeline.

Exports of pentanes plus firmed by 25,000 b/d month-over-month to total 191,000 b/d in April. About 99pc of the barrels moved north to Canada, likely for diluent use.

In April Japan overtook Mexico as the biggest importer of LPG, absorbing 57,000 b/d, a 20,000 b/d increase from March.

Canada's exports also topped Mexico's import level in April. Imports grew by 11,000 b/d to 53,000 b/d. Meanwhile Mexican imports declined by 18,000 b/d to 46,000 b/d.

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