Propane

Change is the operative gear for the alternative fuel transportation space this year, and the natural gas vehicle (NGV) sector is finding it has increasing competition, particularly in the medium- and heavy-duty fleet vehicle space where “clean” diesel and propane are eyeing more advancements.

Canadian natural gas producers have been granted a liquid byproduct growth entitlement with a lifespan of up to a quarter-century. The third propane export license granted by the National Energy Board (NEB) raised the total volume allowed for foreign sales over 25 years to 1.6 billion bbl to be shipped out at a brisk pace of as much as 222,000 b/d.

Phillips 66 said its Freeport LPG Export Terminal in Freeport, TX, is now fully operational. The company loaded its first contracted cargo on the Commander, a very large gas carrier that departed the terminal Friday.

Prices for residential heating oil and propane are similar to the low prices customers enjoyed during the last winter season, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

While Canadian liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects stall on high costs, a more economical byproduct sideline is advancing.

Canadian energy merchants have set out to repeat an all-but-forgotten past success as an escape from glutted natural gas markets across North America.

Williams and Williams Partners said late Monday that they have agreed to sell the companies’ Canadian businesses to Inter Pipeline Ltd. for combined cash proceeds of C$1.35 billion (about US$1.03 billion). Proceeds are to be used to reduce debt at the companies.

When the third set of locks at the Panama Canal opens for business Sunday, it will mark the historic widening of the canal and improve the economics of shipping petroleum and other products. U.S. propane exports will see the greatest benefit, at least for now, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Calgary-based Pembina Pipeline Corp. and a subsidiary of Kuwait Petroleum Corp. (KPC) are evaluating the possibility of partnering on a world-scale combined propane dehydrogenation (PDH) and polypropylene upgrading facility in Alberta.