Demand for ethane as a feedstock for petrochemical manufacturing is rebounding along with the global economy. Expanded capacity and tanker fleets are helping to meet that demand, fueling record export levels, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Ethane is separated from natural gas at processing plants along with other natural gas liquids (NGL) such as propane and butane. 

EIA said in its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) that ethane exports surpassed 370,000 b/d in March, the most recent month for which final data is available. It marked an all-time high and followed the opening of an export facility and a substantial expansion of the tanker fleet that carries liquefied ethane overseas, the agency said. The record level in March included more...