OREANDA-NEWS. The US Energy Information Administration (EIA) revised 2015 ethane production down slightly as low commodity prices curb drilling in many wet gas regions.

The EIA in its monthly Short Term Energy Outlook revised estimated 2015 ethane production down to 1.14mn b/d from 1.16mn b/d in last month's forecast. Propane and butane production estimates were unchanged from the last forecast at 1.11mn b/d and 600,000 b/d, respectively.

Producers continue to reject ethane into the natural gas stream in many areas. Spot ethane prices at Mont Belvieu, Texas, averaged 18.65?/USG during July.

The US is projected to consume 2.57mn b/d of NGLs in 2016 as new petrochemical plants create greater demand for ethylene and propylene feedstock. The EIA projects the US will consume 1.16mn b/d of ethane and 1.17mn b/d of propane in 2016.