Total U.S. Inventories
The EIA reported that total U.S. propane/propylene inventories increased by 2.5 MMbbl for the week ended August 21, exceeding the industry-expected build of 1.5 MMbbl and the average build of 2.4 MMbbl for the week. The increase lifted stocks to an all-time high of 109.5 MMbbl (red line in the chart below), marking the second consecutive weekly record. Stocks are 16.5 MMbbl, or 18%, above the same week in 2025 (blue line); 14 MMbbl, or 15%, above the five-year maximum; and 25 MMbbl, or 30%, above the five-year average (green line). If inventories continue building at a similar pace, total stocks could approach 119 MMbbl by early October before seasonal draws begin. That would be approximately 13% above the 2025 high of 105.4 MMbbl recorded in November.
PADD 3 Inventories
PADD 3 (Gulf Coast) accounted for about 72% of the nationwide build, adding 1.8 MMbbl and lifting regional inventories to a record 69.6 MMbbl (red line in the chart below). This marked the third consecutive week that Gulf Coast stocks reached a record high. Inventories are 14.1 MMbbl, or 26%, above the same week in 2025 (blue line); 12.3 MMbbl, or 22%, above the previous five-year maximum; and 21.5 MMbbl, or 45%, above the five-year average (green line).
PADD 2 Inventories
PADD 2 (Midwest) contributed another 490 Mbbl to the weekly increase, raising regional inventories to 26.6 MMbbl (red line in the chart below). Together, PADDs 2 and 3 accounted for approximately 92% of the nationwide build and held nearly 88% of total U.S. inventories. Midwest stocks are about 2 MMbbl, or 8%, above the same week in 2025 (blue line); 608 Mbbl, or 2%, above the five-year maximum; and 2.9 MMbbl, or 12%, above the five-year average (green line). With Gulf Coast inventories at a record and Midwest stocks above the five-year maximum, elevated supplies in the country’s two largest storage regions continue to drive the record national inventory level.
