Fog delays lead to 27pc drop in NGL exports

OREANDA-NEWS. May 29, 2015. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Exports to Europe were strong with 2.37mn bl moving to the Netherlands, and 1.02mn bl shipped to the United Kingdom.

Latin American imports were dominated by Ecuador, which absorbed 1.28mn bl.