Historically low supplies of propane stockpiles in the U.S. got another boost according to the Energy Information Administration, with the federal agency reporting a 2.1-million barrel hike in reserves for the week-ending May 16. The weekly increase comes on the heels of a robust 3.2 million barrel increase in domestic stocks during the week prior, with the inventory build rate on pace to meet or even exceed the five-year average for the month of May, which sits at 9.3 million barrels.

“The stockbuild so far this month has totaled about 57 percent of the average build expected in May, with inventories reaching an estimated 28.9 million barrels, a level that still tracks below the average range for this period,” the agency reported. “But with the expectation of strong imports during the remainder of May and June, the potential for U.S. inventories or propane moving back within the average range during this period is significant.”

The Gulf Coast continues to lead the nation in weekly stockbuilds with a 1.5 million barrel gain, followed by the Midwest, which added nearly 500,000 barrels. The East Coast, the only area that continues to reported inventories above the average range for this time of year, remained essentially flat last week.  

Propane Stocks (Million Barrels)

Propane Stocks
	Most Recent							Year Ago
	04/04/03	04/11/03	04/18/03	04/25/03	05/02/03	05/09/03	05/16/03	05/17/02
U.S.	21.108	21.681	22.278	21.877	23.518	26.753	28.879	NA
East Coast (PADD I)	2.533	2.738	2.787	2.858	2.976	3.868	3.881	NA
New England (PADD IX)	0.646	0.578	0.517	0.463	0.416	0.721	0.676	NA
Central Atlantic (PADD IY)	0.791	0.851	0.921	1.042	1.176	1.211	1.205	NA
Lower Atlantic (PADD IZ)	1.096	1.308	1.349	1.353	1.384	1.936	2.000	NA
Midwest (PADD II)	5.851	6.563	6.804	6.438	7.352	8.241	8.734	NA
Gulf Coast (PADD III)	11.719	11.349	11.626	11.539	12.071	13.371	14.888	NA
Nonfuel Use (PADD I - III)	1.959	1.681	1.598	1.585	1.376	1.459	1.722	NA