Commodity Market Report
North America ethylene short-term outlook August 2017
Report summary
Traders scattered across Houston are frantically calculating whether ethylene feedstocks, production, or demand has taken the hardest hit from Hurricane Harvey. Overall we see shutdowns affecting more than 50% of total US capacity, with 400 kt of lost production over August and September. Nameplate operating rates will average 86% over these two months. Harvey will lead to only 300 kt of lost demand, pushing spot ethylene prices towards 30 c/lb. Ethane fractionation spreads will falter due to record ethane stocks, sending ethylene margins 10 c/lb higher than August's levels. Wood Mackenzie will be closely monitoring plant operating performance, with a keen eye on potential delays to the first wave of new steamcrackers. Storm damage and manpower availability could be an issue, especially at CPCHEM's new Cedar Bayou plant. Cedar Bayou set the continental US record for rainfall with nearly 52 inches of rain.
Table of contents
- Executive summary
Tables and charts
No table or charts specified
What's included
This report contains:
Other reports you may be interested in
Commodity Market Report
North America power markets short-term outlook: Rising demand and natural gas prices come to the rescue after a weak 2024
Cheap natural gas prices and warmer than normal conditions over the winter have driven a decline in energy prices to begin 2024.
$2,000
Commodity Market Report
North America gas short-term outlook: Henry Hub generates support while Waha falls into an abyss
Can prices rebound to $3/mmbtu by the start of winter?
$2,000
Commodity Market Report
North America Crude Markets short-term outlook: April 2024
TMX and concluding US refinery maintenance will soon bring change… but just how soon?
$3,500