據6月6日烴加工網站報道，2023年3月，美國丙烷出口達到歷史新高的170萬桶/天，這是自1973年EIA開始收集這一數據以來的最高水平。丙烷在全球范圍內被用于建筑供暖，并被用作石化原料。

去年冬天，美國對丙烷的需求較低，丙烷產量較高，導致美國丙烷價格相對于西北歐和亞洲下跌，從而支撐了歷史新高的出口水平。過去10年，隨著美國天然氣產量的擴大，天然氣加工的副產品丙烷的產量迅速增加。近年來，美國丙烷出口終端的擴建項目增加了美國的出口。2022年丙烷出口量也達到年度最高水平，平均為140萬桶/天。

近年來，美國對亞洲的丙烷出口迅速增長，部分原因是該地區對丙烯的需求不斷增加，丙烯是一種可以由丙烷生產的化學品。丙烯用于制造聚丙烯，這是一種用途廣泛的塑料，包括汽車內飾、包裝和個人防護設備。

日本是美國丙烷的最大進口國。2022年夏天，美國對歐洲的丙烷出口創下了23.6萬桶/天的歷史新高。2023年前三個月，美國對歐洲的丙烷出口平均為24.7萬桶/天。

亞洲丙烷需求的增加導致了全球丙烷價格上漲，并激勵了美國丙烷出口增加。今年冬天，亞洲和西北歐貿易中心的丙烷價格都大幅上漲。美國Mont belview出口中心的現貨價格也有所上漲，但上漲速度較慢。

洪偉立 摘譯自 烴加工 網站

原文如下：

EIA: monthly US propane exports in March 2023 reach a record high

US propane exports reached a record 1.7 million bpd in March 2023, the highest level since the EIA began collecting this data in 1973. Propane is consumed globally for space heating and is used as a petrochemical feedstock.

Low US demand for propane this past winter and higher propane production led to lower US propane prices relative to Northwest Europe and Asia, underpinning the record export levels. Propane production, a byproduct of natural gas processing, has increased rapidly over the past 10 years as US natural gas output has expanded. Expansion projects at US propane export terminals in recent years have allowed for more US exports. Propane exports also reached a record annual high in 2022, averaging 1.4 million bpd.

US propane exports to Asia have increased rapidly in recent years, driven in part by the region’s increasing demand for propylene, a chemical that can be produced from propane. Propylene is used to manufacture polypropylene, a versatile plastic with many uses, including in car interiors, packaging, and personal protective equipment.

Japan is the largest importer of US propane.US propane exports to Europe set record highs of 236 000 bpd in the summer of 2022. US propane exports to Europe averaged 247 000 bpd in the first three months of 2023.

The increase in propane demand as a petrochemical feedstock in Asia has contributed to higher global propane prices, and incentivised increased propane exports from the US. Propane prices rose significantly in both Asian and Northwest European trading hubs this winter. Spot prices at the Mont Belvieu export hub in the US also rose, but at a slower rate.