Propane marketers can reassess and repurpose tank assets that are already in the field to avoid buying new tanks at relatively high prices. (Photo by LP Gas staff)

Trading versus hedging in propane futures

April 15, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal, director of research and publications, explains key concepts in propane futures.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, financial hedging, Mark Rachal, propane traders, Trader's Corner and posted in Blue Flame Blog, Featured

Far-out thoughts on buying propane

April 7, 2025 By Mark Rachal

This week, Mark Rachal, director of research and publications, discusses the historical averages and the future of buying propane.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, financial swaps, Mark Rachal, propane prices, Trader's Corner and posted in Blue Flame Blog, Featured

Playing the averages may mean missing an opportunity

April 1, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal, director of research and publications, warns against getting price protection for the next winter.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, Mark Rachal, propane demand, propane prices, Trader's Corner and posted in Blue Flame Blog, Featured

$Chart 1: Fractionated vs non-fractionated propane inventories$

Ready-for-sale propane data making an impact

March 25, 2025 By Mark Rachal

This week, Mark Rachal, director of research and publications, revisits the ready-for-sale propane data point.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, Mark Rachal, propane demand, propane inventories, propane prices, propane traders, Trader's Corner, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) and posted in Blue Flame Blog, Featured

Chart 1: Daily prices natural gas 2020-2025 (Chart courtesy of Cost Management Solutions)

Is it a new era for natural gas pricing?

March 18, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal explains what’s happening with natural gas pricing and how it may affect propane prices

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, liquefied natural gas (LNG), Mark Rachal, natural gas, natural gas liquids, natural gas processing, propane prices, propane pricing, Trader's Corner and posted in Blue Flame Blog, Featured

Gas House horizontal tanks in rows. Photo by LP Gas staff

It’s actually good when price protection doesn’t pay off

March 11, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal, director of research and publications, shares a lesson about price protection he learned from “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.”

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, financial swaps, Mark Rachal, propane prices, propane traders, Trader's Corner and posted in Blue Flame Blog, Featured

Falling domestic propane demand

March 4, 2025 By Mark Rachal

This week, Mark Rachal, director of research and publications at Cost Management Solutions, shares trends in domestic propane demand.

This article is tagged with Blue Flame Blog, Cost Management Solutions, domestic demand, Mark Rachal, Trader's Corner and posted in Blue Flame Blog, Featured

Photo: freezeframes/iStock / Getty Images Plus/Getty Images

Correcting a common misconception about propane supply

February 25, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal explains and corrects a common misconception about propane supply and how propane is produced.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, crude, crude production, hydrocarbon gas liquids, Mark Rachal, natural gas, natural gas processing, propane supply, propane traders, Trader's Corner and posted in Blue Flame Blog, Featured

Chart 1: Crude weekly commercial inventories

Outlook for crude and its impact on propane prices

February 10, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal, director of research and publications for Cost Management Solutions, explores crude’s impact on propane prices.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, crude, crude inventory, crude prices, Mark Rachal, propane prices, Trader's Corner and posted in Blue Flame Blog, Featured

January cold impacts US propane supply

February 3, 2025 By Mark Rachal

Mark Rachal examines the January cold’s impact on U.S. propane supply and argues that confidence in propane supply remains high.

This article is tagged with Cost Management Solutions, Mark Rachal, propane inventories, propane supply, propane traders, Trader's Corner, winter and posted in Blue Flame Blog, Featured

TAG: Mark Rachal