The EIA reported a 2.5-MMbbl build in total U.S. propane/propylene inventories for the week ended July 24, about 510 Mbbl above industry expectations for a build of approximately 2 MMbbl. Total stocks increased to 102.3 MMbbl (red line in the chart below), the highest level recorded for the same reporting week. Inventories are now 18.8 MMbbl, or 23%, above the same week in 2025 (blue line), 13.7 MMbbl, or 15%, above the previous five-year maximum, and 24.8 MMbbl, or 32%, above the five-year average (green line).
Most of the nationwide build occurred in PADD 3 (Gulf Coast), where propane inventories rose by 2.2 MMbbl to a record 67 MMbbl (red line in the chart below). PADD 3 accounted for nearly 90% of the total U.S. increase. Inventories in the region are now 16.7 MMbbl, or 33%, above the same week in 2025 (blue line), 14.4 MMbbl, or 27%, above the previous five-year maximum, and 22.6 MMbbl, or 51%, above the five-year average (green line).
While total U.S. and PADD 3 inventories moved higher, propane/propylene production continued its recent decline. Production decreased by 10 Mb/d to about 2.88 MMb/d (red line in the chart below), marking the third consecutive weekly decrease. Production is now down 4% from its early-June peak but remains 2% above both year-ago levels (blue line) and the previous five-year maximum.
