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Нефтетранспорт - «СГ-транс»: рынок СУГ адаптируется к новым реалиям

  • Market: LPG
  • 14/11/23

Основным направлением экспорта сжиженного углеводородного газа (СУГ) из России остается Европа. О переориентировании объемов на новые маршруты из-за возможного запрета на импорт российского СУГ в Евросоюз (ЕС), а также о ситуации с вагоностроением и производством комплектующих в России рассказал Argus генеральный директор компании «СГ-транс» Сергей Калетин.

— Как изменилась логистика российского СУГ в 2023 г.?

— Традиционно основным рынком сбыта российских углеводородов остается Европа. На данный момент в направлении стран ЕС идет около 80% всех экспортных поставок СУГ из России. После прекращения отправок через Украину продукция европейским потребителям направляется либо по сухопутному маршруту через Белоруссию и Польшу, либо морем — через порт Усть-Луги (Ленинградская обл.) в Нидерланды и далее до места назначения.

Но общая тенденция разворота логистики на восток четко прослеживается и в нашем достаточно консервативном сегменте. Перевозки СУГ парком «СГ-транс» через погранпереходы Забайкальск — Маньчжурия (Китай), Камышовая (Приморский край) — Хуньчунь (Китай), Наушки (Бурятия) — Сухэ-Батор (Монголия) в первом полугодии выросли почти на 60% к аналогичному периоду прошлого года. Через Забайкальск сейчас едут грузы основных грузоотправителей — Иркутской нефтяной компании (ИНК), «Лукойла», «Роснефти» и «Сибур Холдинга».

Из-за загруженности Восточного полигона, объединяющего Красноярскую, Восточно-Сибирскую, Забайкальскую и Дальневосточную железные дороги, прорабатываем и другие варианты логистики СУГ. В частности, растут поставки углеводородов через Казахстан — в Киргизию, Таджикистан, Иран. Есть интерес к экспорту в страны Средней Азии. По данным из открытых источников, в январе — июле этого года российские компании направили в Афганистан 120 тыс. т СУГ. Это больше чем за весь прошлый год, когда было отгружено 104 тыс. т газа. В 2021 г. сжиженные углеводороды из России в Афганистан не экспортировались.

— На какие рынки переориентируются экспортеры?

— Если в какой-то момент Евросоюз внесет СУГ в санкционные списки — а разговоры об этом ведутся, — нам придется выбрать направления, чтобы переориентировать на них грузовые потоки. Это примерно 2 млн т/год. Просчитывать варианты нужно уже сейчас, чтобы подготовиться к неблагоприятному развитию событий.

В первом полугодии 2023 г. Тамань (Краснодарский край) была основным экспортным каналом на юге России, но терминал для перевалки СУГ в гавани законсервировали на неопределенное время. Поэтому на эти мощности рассчитывать не приходится.

На востоке есть большой и быстро растущий рынок Азии, где наблюдается спрос на российские углеводороды. Но нужно учитывать высокую конкуренцию за пропускные способности. В какой-то момент на восток поехало буквально все — уголь, нефтеналивные грузы, грузы в контейнерах. Кроме того, на Дальнем Востоке остро стоит вопрос с терминальной инфраструктурой для перевалки СУГ. Очевидно, что этим нужно заниматься и развивать это направление.

Еще один резерв, который мы можем использовать, — максимально задействовать мощности погранперехода Забайкальск — Маньчжурия на границе России и Китая. Потенциально Забайкальск способен пропускать до 2 млн т/год СУГ. Однако сегодня загружается 10% от этого объема из-за технологии передачи цистерн на китайскую сторону, а точнее, из-за требования формировать составы с вагонами прикрытия. Так, чтобы подать 18 цистерн с СУГ, нужно почти 40 вагонов прикрытия. Для РЖД такая работа невыгодна, потому что состав, который приходит на станцию Забайкальск, стоит и занимает пути в течение 5—6 суток. При этом еще нужно найти порожние вагоны, чтобы обеспечить требуемое прикрытие. За те же 5—6 суток на станции можно принять минимум 10 контейнерных поездов.

Мы сейчас ищем разные возможности для того, чтобы изменить подход к передаче вагонов в Китай. Работаем со всеми заинтересованными сторонами, включая администрацию Харбина (33% терминала принадлежит Харбинским железным дорогам) и Российский союз промышленников и предпринимателей (РСПП). Делаем все, чтобы технологию пересмотрели и в этом направлении пошли более высокие объемы СУГ.

— Какие точки роста грузовой базы вы видите?

— Если говорить про наш основной сегмент СУГ, то на горизонте ближайших трех лет ожидается рост грузовой базы. Со следующего года Иркутская нефтяная компания планирует выйти на расчетные мощности в 800 тыс. т/год. После 2025 г. ожидается запуск Амурского ГПЗ, для нужд которого может потребоваться свыше 3 тыс. цистерн. Есть еще перспективные проекты разработки Харасавэйского и Бованенковского месторождений, которые, как предполагается, принесут около 1 млн т сжиженных углеводородов. Это уже перспектива 2026 г. Примерно тогда же ожидается запуск установки замедленного коксования на Киришском НПЗ, это выведет на рынок дополнительно еще более 200 тыс. т/год СУГ. Пока планы такие, хотя в текущей ситуации очень сложно заглядывать так далеко.

— Достаточно ли имеющихся в России вагоностроительных мощностей для покрытия ожидаемого дефицита газового и нефтебензинового парка?

— В начале сентября в России была принята Сводная стратегия обрабатывающей промышленности до 2035 г., которая включает в том числе и вагоностроение. Согласно этому документу, до 2030 г. ежегодно будет производиться 58 тыс. вагонов, а с 2030 г. — 66 тыс. единиц. В целом мы видим, что сейчас выбытие парка меньше, чем строительство. Однако это не касается специализированного подвижного состава, и в таких сегментах вагонов не хватает.

— С чем связан дефицит специализированного парка?

— Парк вагонов на сети РЖД достиг рекордных цифр в 1,37 млн единиц. Это очень много, о чем операторам регулярно сигнализируют в госкомпании. В августе на панельной дискуссии «PRO//Движение.Экспо» заместитель генерального директора РЖД Михаил Глазков обратил внимание на то, что избыток парка составляет почти 200 тыс. вагонов. В нашем сегменте перевозок СУГ, напротив, ощущается нехватка газовых цистерн.

Есть две основные причины дефицита специализированного парка для СУГ: увеличение транспортного плеча из-за разворота грузовых потоков и рост оборота вагонов. Дальность груженого рейса у нас выросла с 1,9 тыс. км до 2,2 тыс. км, а оборачиваемость в условиях загруженности сети увеличилась с 24—25 суток до 32 дней. А рост оборота вагонов на 30% означает рост потребности в парке на 30% для вывоза продукции.

В общесетевых масштабах парк цистерн для СУГ относительно невелик — 37,2 тыс. единиц. Почти 63% из них принадлежат «СГ-транс» и Нефтехимической транспортной компании (НХТК, наше совместное предприятие с «Сибур Холдингом» в равных долях). В ближайшие три года у нас будет списано 2,2 тыс. цистерн в связи с истечением срока службы. А потребность в парке, как мы видим, будет только расти по мере ввода в эксплуатацию дополнительных производственных мощностей.

Покупка новых вагонов сегодня обойдется очень дорого, и срок их окупаемости не очевиден. Цена на цистерны для СУГ выросла с 4,4 млн руб. без НДС в 2020 г. до порядка 7 млн руб. без НДС в текущем году. И это не предел. При этом нужно учитывать повышение стоимости заемного финансирования после увеличения Центробанком ключевой процентной ставки до 15% годовых.

Возможно, поддержку операторам в виде субсидирования могло бы оказать государство, как это было в 2014 г. Тогда ситуация была похожая. Я думаю, многие помнят, как в 2013 г. вагоностроители массово выпускали подвижной состав и стоимость парка росла. Что произошло потом, тоже хорошо известно: в три раза упали ставки на аренду полувагонов и потащили за собой весь рынок. По оценкам экспертов, к этому привело перенасыщение рынка вагонами, купленными по высоким ценам, снижение погрузки, сокращение инвестиций. Сейчас, конечно, ставки до тех значений не дойдут, но ситуация опасная — рынок перегрет.

— Как вы оцениваете ситуацию на рынке комплектующих для танк-контейнеров? Внутреннее производство покрывает потребности строительства и ремонта?

— Ситуация с обеспечением комплектующими и запчастями для ремонта танк-контейнеров стабилизировалась относительно прошлого года.

В России появились новые производители уплотнительных материалов, которые заявляют о готовности заместить продукцию зарубежных поставщиков. Это, безусловно, позитивный момент. Однако мы по-прежнему сталкиваемся с определенными проблемами. Качество уплотнителей отечественного производства не всегда отвечает требованиям нашей компании и международных стандартов. Второй момент — допуски размеров. Даже небольшое отклонение приводит к резкому снижению качества ремонта либо делает использование уплотнительных материалов и вовсе невозможным.

Некоторые компании, которые являлись официальными представителями зарубежных производителей в России, сегодня вышли из-под влияния прежних владельцев и объединили в своих руках цепочки поставок материалов нескольких производителей. Они стали практически единственным поставщиком продукции в стране. Кажется, что работа через одно окно удобна для потребителей, но это удобство обманчиво. Цены контролировать сложнее, конкуренция практически отсутствует.

В настоящее время «СГ-транс» активно разрабатывает вариант производства базовых уплотнений для широкого ряда запорно-предохранительной арматуры на базе собственной инфраструктуры. Нам это делать несколько проще, чем сторонним производствам, потому что мы понимаем требования, предъявляемые к материалам и качеству их изготовления, и можем производить доработку изделий, доводя их до совершенства. Плюс к этому, учитывая, что производство уплотнителей размещается на базе наших ремонтно-испытательных пунктов, материальные и временные затраты на доставку готовых изделий к местам проведения работ сведены к нулю.

В то же время, если вернуться к вопросу обеспечения запчастями и деталями, еще есть позиции, где по-прежнему требуются поставки из-за рубежа.

«СГ-транс»

Один из крупнейших в России собственников специализированного подвижного состава для перевозки СУГ и продуктов нефтехимии. «СГ-транс» имеет долгосрочные соглашения с крупнейшими отраслевыми грузоотправителями, в том числе «Сибур Холдингом», «Роснефтью», «Газпром нефтью» и «Газпромом». На базе собственных ремонтно-испытательных пунктов (РИП) и механизированных пунктов выполняются работы по текущему отцепочному ремонту грузовых вагонов компании «СГ-транс» и парка сторонних собственников, а также производятся техническое обслуживание и ремонт танк-контейнеров для транспортировки СУГ и химических грузов.

Сергей Калетин

Родился 11 октября 1965 г. в Челябинске. Окончил Уральский электромеханический институт инженеров железнодорожного транспорта. Более 23 лет работал на различных должностях на Южно-Уральской железной дороге, филиале РЖД.

В 2006—2008 гг. занимал должность первого заместителя начальника департамента вагонного хозяйства РЖД. С 2008 г. по 2014 г. был заместителем генерального директора по техническому развитию Первой грузовой компании. В 2014—2015 гг. являлся старшим вице-президентом — главным инженером компании «СГ-транс». С 2015 г. по настоящее время — генеральный директор компании.


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Washington, 5 November (Argus) — President Donald Trump's legal rationale for tariffs targeting major US trading partners ran into a skeptical review during a Supreme Court hearing on Wednesday, including from the justices appointed by him. The high court heard an appeal of two decisions by lower courts that found Trump's administration has overstepped its authority by placing emergency tariffs on most goods imported into the US. Trump has cited a 1977 law called the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA), which previous presidents only used to impose targeted economic sanctions, to impose tariffs on all US trading partners. IEEPA omits references to tariffs. But the Trump administration justifies imposing them by citing two words in the text of the law — that "regulation" of "importation" is among the possible measures that the president can take to address an economic emergency. 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LPG World editorial: The ultimate solution?

A recent report touting the benefits of electrified cooking in India unfortunately seems to not understand the realities and challenges the country faces London, 4 November (Argus) — India should transition to electric cooking from LPG and piped natural gas (PNG) as it is "cleaner, safer, cheaper and more sustainable", a report from US non-profit IEEFA, which promotes clean energy transitions, finds. But the report fails to address the feasibility of such a transition when many Indian homes do not receive reliable electricity, nor its consequences from a grid powered largely by coal. "E-cooking" is the "ultimate clean cooking solution for India", the report says. Although it acknowledges the role LPG has played in replacing harmful traditional cooking fuels, backed by the PMUY subsidy scheme, it notes LPG is still "carbon-intensive" and high emitting. Nearly 40pc of Indian homes still use traditional fuels despite the PMUY, it adds. Meanwhile, e-cooking was 37pc cheaper than non-subsidised LPG in fiscal year 2024-25, and 14pc cheaper than PNG. India's dependence on LPG imports also lifted its import bill by 50pc in the past six years, IEEFA says. India should "at least" focus first on transitioning urban areas, with government support a requisite. But a countrywide switch is "the logical choice" for a country now "100pc" electrified. The only things slowing e-cooking uptake are high up-front costs, limited device options and a lack of awareness and regulatory support. Yet scratch the surface and the choice begins to look less logical. E-cooking has an inarguable benefit over LPG — it produces nearly no indoor air pollution. But this ignores the vast improvement made from switching from firewood to LPG, something likely to dwarf the health benefits of moving from LPG to e-cooking, and as the report states, 40pc of homes — in poorer, rural areas — still use wood. It is true Indian power is not "import-dependent". Why? Thanks to domestically produced coal. About three-quarters of Indian electricity comes from coal-fired plants — far more harmful in terms of pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. Presumably the report is basing future e-cooking use on lower-emitting fuels. Perhaps gas — which would need to be imported. Or maybe renewables, although the challenges and timescales involved in scaling this adequately are not mentioned. Safety is another important metric, with e-cooking safety deemed "high" and LPG "low". This is probably linked to LPG accidents within Indian homes — deaths from such accidents in India stood at about 31 in 2021. What it ignores is the 78,000-112,000 people a year who die prematurely from coal-fired power in India from pollution, a PNAS study from 2021 found, not to mention casualties at coal-fired power plants and coal mines required to support an e-cooking transition. The report also ignores the LPG industry's robust safety record in well-regulated markets. Taking the report's cost calculations at face value, one must also admit that India can only achieve these power prices thanks to its abundant domestic coal reserves. If, as IEEFA likely wants, the country transitions to cleaner power sources, prices will inevitably climb. For LPG, the PMUY has proven successful because it reduced up-front and fuel-cost barriers for rural, low-income homes. What are the hopes of getting more expensive e-cooking equipment in their hands if electricity costs rise as the power sector transitions and demand grows? Connectivity issues But perhaps the report's biggest problem is its glossing over of Indian electricity access. The government puts connectivity at 99.2-99.5pc — not 100pc. Yet some villages are "connected" if 10pc of homes have access. Only 44pc of rural households in India truly have access to electricity, a study from 2024 found. These often receive less than 12 hours of power daily and outages are frequent. It seems absurd to ask Indian homes to rely on something so unreliable. The government should instead focus on improving electricity access in rural areas, transitioning power to cleaner sources and continuing to move rural users of firewood for cooking to LPG, as well as PNG and e-cooking in urban areas — where appropriate. Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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Q&A: Sonatrach bullish on future LPG trade growth

London, 4 November (Argus) — Algerian state-owned oil company Sonatrach is the largest producer and exporter of LPG in the Mediterranean region. The firm produces about 130bn m³/yr of natural gas, 8mn t/yr of condensate and 9mn t/yr of LPG, while Algerian LPG exports stand at about 6mn t/yr. The company established its trading and shipping arm, Sonatrach Petroleum Corporation (SPC), in London in 1989 to carry out its international LPG and oil products trade. Argus' David Appleton spoke to Sonatrach's gas marketing division director, Samia Hamadache, and SPC's LPG trading general manager Idir Ait-Feroukh on stage at this year's Argus LPG Conference in Istanbul, Turkey, on 16 October, on the future of Algerian production and exports: How important is Turkey as an importer and consumer of LPG for Algeria? Turkey represents a strategically important, sophisticated and transparent LPG market, characterised by advanced storage, distribution and autogas logistics capabilities. For Sonatrach, Turkey is both a major regional demand centre and a trusted commercial partner, not only for LPG but also for LNG — the first Turkish LNG regasification terminal was established in the 1990s to receive Algerian LNG — the first LNG cargo was delivered to the Turkish market in the 1990s. Another historical milestone in the bilateral relationship was Algeria's rapid delivery of an LPG cargo as humanitarian aid following the devastating earthquake in Turkey at the end of the 1990s. Since then, the co-operation has grown steadily, with direct Algerian LPG exports to Turkey now exceeding 1.7mn t/yr. Algerian LPG contributes to Turkey's supply diversification and energy security, while Turkey provides efficient logistics and competitive access to broader regional markets. LPG supply is growing in several countries, most notably in the US and Mideast Gulf. What is the expectation in terms of Algerian supply in the coming years? In the short term, we anticipate a measured growth trajectory supported by ongoing upstream optimisation, effective associated gas management and reliability enhancements across our processing network. Our approach is pragmatic — we prioritise operational availability, flare reduction and debottlenecking before pursuing large greenfield projects. This ensures a steady, credible supply profile that customers can rely on, rather than pursuing volume for its own sake. For the medium and long term, we are executing an ambitious investment plan to expand capacities, with more than 80pc of investments allocated to oil and gas exploration and production to ensure sustainable growth. Are there plans in Algeria to expand LPG infrastructure and can you give us an overview of your current infrastructure including any shipping assets? Algeria benefits from an integrated and robust infrastructure, encompassing gas processing plants, LPG separation facilities and coastal storage and export terminals along the Mediterranean. We continue to modernise and expand this infrastructure, investing in maintenance, digital scheduling and incremental storage where it delivers value. Future expansions will be in a phased and economically disciplined manner. In shipping, we combine owned and time-chartered capacity with long-term partners to optimise flexibility and efficiency in all export markets. Our subsidiaries, Hyproc Shipping Company and SPC, manage a diversified fleet for transport of LPG, oil products and LNG, strengthening our logistics capabilities. Is there any intention to use additional supply domestically — be it in petrochemicals, autogas or other segments such as residential or industrial — or do you expect this LPG to be all available for export? Our strategy balances domestic use with export growth. Supplying local demand — across residential, industrial, autogas and petrochemical sectors — remains a priority, while keeping sustainability in focus. At the same time, Algeria is a trusted exporter to international markets. Striking the right balance between domestic needs and exports ensures energy security, maximises value for the country and meets long-term international commitments. Of the 9mn t/yr of LPG produced in Algeria, about a third serves the domestic market, with the rest exported. Sonatrach and China's Wanhua Chemical recently signed a landmark deal for propane supply . Do you expect more Algerian LPG to go to Asia, particularly in light of some of the uncertainty in trade policy out of the US? The deal is now in its third consecutive year, demonstrating the satisfaction of both parties, and is part of a broader strategy by Asian, particularly Chinese, players to diversify their supply sources — and for Sonatrach to diversify its portfolio. Algeria stands out for several reasons — its central geographic position, flexible lot sizes and split ratios, and the option of delivering on a fob or cfr basis. Above all, Sonatrach's pragmatic approach and transparent pricing allow Algerian LPG to reach where it generates the most value while preserving long-term relationships in core markets. Our objectives also include developing new, high-value markets where energy demand and industrial growth are accelerating, and pursuing opportunities in any region or country that Sonatrach considers economically advantageous. The supply to China goes to the petrochemical sector. Could you tell us about the quality of Algerian propane and butane and whether it typically makes the specification required for petrochemical feedstock usage? Algerian propane and butane are well-recognised internationally, with a long history of supplying major petrochemical customers while meeting globally accepted specifications. You mentioned Wanhua Chemical, a major global petrochemical player. To add to this, in the past three months alone, we supplied more than 120,000t of butane to petrochemical end users in northwest Europe, including in Rotterdam, a key petrochemical hub, and in Immingham, UK. This demonstrates that Algerian LPG quality meets the stringent purity and international standards required by the petrochemical sector, and by extension other sectors as well, including residential and autogas markets. Algerian propane is particularly suited for propylene production, while our butane, with about 30pc isobutane content, is attractive for petrochemical applications. Our gas processing and LPG separation facilities ensure consistent composition, high purity and stable quality, and we can tailor products to meet specific customer requirements. In what ways do Sonatrach's and SPC's roles complement one another? Sonatrach, based in Algeria, serves as the parent company and portfolio orchestrator, overseeing supply, operations, scheduling, and long-term partnerships. SPC specialises in LPG and oil products trading and shipping and owns six vessel-operating companies — two VLGCs, three LGCs [large gas carrier], and one VLCC [very large crude carrier]. Its operations are conducted through offices in Algiers and London. SPC complements the mission of its parent company by leveraging niche market access, market development expertise, risk management, and portfolio optimisation. Its global reach, presence in key trading hubs, and provision of financial services are further reinforced by the strategic advantages of its London location. Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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Turkish autogas sales to ease again on economic drags


04/11/25
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04/11/25

Turkish autogas sales to ease again on economic drags

The world's largest autogas fleet is facing multiple challenges with prices rising this year, writes Efcharis Sgourou London, 4 November (Argus) — Turkey's demand is set to decline in 2025 for a second consecutive year as economic headwinds weigh on the country's autogas sales, delegates heard at the Argus LPG Conference in Istanbul over 16-17 October. Domestic LPG distributor Aygaz expects LPG imports to decline by 4-5pc this year owing to an erosion in household purchasing power that is dragging on consumption. But the market should recover in the next few years, with autogas remaining the bedrock of domestic consumption given its persisting cost advantage over gasoline, Aygaz supply chain director Elifcan Yazgan told delegates. Turkey consumes about 4.1mn t/yr of LPG, of which more than 3.5mn t/yr was imported in 2024, according to Aygaz. The country's autogas consumers, mainly consisting of a middle-income demographic, account for just over 80pc of domestic consumption. Autogas use stood at about 3.4mn t in 2024, down from 3.5mn t in 2023, Argus Analytics data show. The country has 5.2mn autogas cars representing about 35pc of the total vehicle fleet, Aygaz says, making it the world's largest autogas market based on fleet numbers — Russian autogas sales slightly exceeded Turkey's last year. But the sector's resilience is being tested by economic difficulties. Inflation has remained stubbornly high throughout 2025, jumping by more than 30pc this year despite interest rate hikes by the country's central bank. The lira has also fallen to record lows against the US dollar, lifting fuel import costs and squeezing consumers already burdened by rising expenses. Autogas prices have climbed steadily this year but have largely retained their significant price advantage over gasoline and diesel, offering savings of about 40-45pc on an energy equivalent basis. Gasoline prices in Turkey in 2019, prior to the crash in the lira's value and the impact of post-pandemic inflation, stood at about TL6.8/litre, equivalent to $1.11/l at the time. They are now at about TL52.3/l. Diesel prices climbed to TL55.4/l from TL6.4/l over the same timeframe, while autogas jumped to TL27.7/l, still putting it about 59¢/l lower than gasoline. Although autogas use eased in 2024 and may do so again this year, it is still on a robust upward trajectory viewed over a longer timespan (seegraph). The country's residential, industrial and commercial demand is conversely continuing to contract over the long term owing to natural gas pipeline rollouts. Cylinder LPG sales have dropped by 73pc to about 573,000 t/yr since 2000, according to Turkish distributor Milangaz's commercial director, Can Toydemir. Bulk LPG sales to mainly the industrial and commercial sectors have fallen by an even greater degree — by 89pc to 120,000 t/yr, he said. Autogas use by contrast has almost tripled to about 3.45mn t/yr from 1.28mn t/yr, Milangaz data show. "Cylinder consumption has been falling about 5pc/yr as stronger natural gas grid penetration displaces bottled and bulk LPG use, and this trend will persist," Toydemir said. Grid unlocked Turkish gas grid development over the past 20 years has brought pipeline access to most urban areas, while government policies have continued to support the adoption of natural gas for household and industrial usage. As a result, LPG's role in these sectors has slowly diminished while retaining a foothold in off-grid areas. But the non-autogas LPG sector remains strategically important for Turkey. When natural gas prices surged in 2023 following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, many industrial and commercial users temporarily switched to LPG, supporting record import volumes that year and underscoring LPG's value as a back-up alternative. The LPG market is expected to regain momentum over the longer term, anchored by autogas, delegates heard, with residential, industrial and commercial use expected to continue to wane. Turkish autogas market 2023 2024 Demand mn t 3.5 3.4 Vehicle fleet mn 4.9 4.9 Refill sites 10,060 10,061 — Argus, WLGA Turkish LPG demand by sector Turkish LPG supply Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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US ethane exports to Mexico reach record high


30/10/25
News
30/10/25

US ethane exports to Mexico reach record high

Houston, 30 October (Argus) — US ethane exports to Mexico reached a record high in October, just months after Braskem inaugurated its new ethane import terminal in Mexico. The US shipped 40,000 b/d of the petrochemical feedstock to Mexico so far in October, the highest for any month since at least 2016, Kpler data shows. Most of the October volumes that arrived in the port of Coatzacoalcos, Mexico, were aboard the Brilliant Future and Brave Future , which are both Brazilian petrochemical firm Braskem's dedicated ethane vessels. The Mexican port is home to Braskem's 80,000 b/d (1.6mn t/yr) ethane import terminal that was inaugurated earlier this year and supplies the company's Mexico-based petrochemical plants. The terminal is part of Braskem's broader efforts to shift away from naphtha as a feedstock and tackle the long-standing ethane supply shortages in Mexico, which stems from a slowdown in domestic ethane production. Mexico's state-owned Pemex's output has declined steadily over the past few years owing to mature oil and gas fields, leading Pemex and private-sector firms to become more reliant on imports. Pemex's ethane production fell to an average of 40,000 b/d from January to September, down from 43,000 b/d the same months a year earlier, and well below the 71,000 b/d it produced in 2020, according to the latest Pemex data. US ethane exports to Mexico could continue to grow as Braskem's trading arm expects delivery of an additional four ethane ships for Braskem's feedstock requirements in 2026. Braskem is also considering adding another PE unit in Mexico, further boosting ethane demand. By Giovann Rosales Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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