Blog

This week’s International Market Highlight emphasizes energy export restrictions countries are enacting in the face of continued Strait of Hormuz disruptions. Meanwhile, the US’ Strategic Petroleum Reserve has hit its lowest level since 1983; Russia’s refined product exports fell in June; and China could be looking at a rise in crude imports which could be a factor in driving oil prices higher.

The International Market Highlight for this week spotlights Mexico’s first export of LNG cargo to China, as well as surging oil prices in the US following renewed US-Iran military tensions. It also features news of a rapid increase in LPG demand in Colombia, and the potential for Bolivia to become an LPG importer if domestic production is not increased.

Strategy plays a big role in many board games, especially in a military style board game like, Risk, where the objective is for one player to conquer the world. One effective strategy in this game is to break up or keep your opponent from having a unified force. Currently, we are seeing strategic moves from member nations of OPEC that could effectively decrease the power OPEC holds over a large portion of the global energy market.

In the latest entry in our Q & A series we talk with Westlark Team Member, Gabriel Amundarain. Gabe brings decades of international experience in the oil and energy industries to his role as a Commodity Advisor. In this conversation, he answers some questions about current global market events and how propane/LPG professionals can successfully navigate them.

Westlark’s first International Market Highlight in July 2026 directs attention to increased drilling activity in the US and Canada. Brazil’s government maintains some LPG subsidies while drawing back other emergency measures. Colombia begins work on its Cartagena LPG import terminal; Peru grapples with increasing energy security issues; and India’s improved LPG availability allows the government to restore supply to key sectors.

Westlark’s last International Market Highlight for June 2026 again centers issues related to energy security. Mexico is facing a surge in LPG theft; while the US is facing concerns over low levels of crude in the national stockpile. Chile is investing in LPG infrastructure; and the Middle East has seen increased vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz. Meanwhile, India’s shift to diversify its LPG imports has increased energy security but caused a sharp increase in prices.

This week’s International Market Highlight features news of global energy shifts in Latin America. Mexico and Argentina are investing in infrastructure for production and export. Brazil is considering allowing smaller LPG sales; while the US and Asia are potentially facing tightening petroleum inventories in the near future.

Bangladesh produces almost none of the LPG it consumes, so the question of where the molecules come from, and how they get here, is not a technical footnote. It is the defining strategic question of the decade. The country’s energy transition includes a shift in trade routes. The US has become a viable LPG export option at a time when geopolitical issues are forcing a change.

The past three months, Westlark’s Current Events’ posts have focused on the war between the U.S. and Iran. Though there is still uncertainty surrounding the conflict in the Middle East, we would like to talk about something different. What else is there to talk about? This month, we would like to explore – interest rates and their potential impact on the energy market.