Canada's propane exports soared 9.2 per cent in 2024 as gas output grew 

Canadian exports of propane and butane grew significantly in 2024 as natural gas production increased in the country, according to new data from the Canada Energy Regulator on Wednesday.

The data for 2024 showed Canadian propane exports averaged 218,300 barrels per day (bpd), a 9.2 per cent increase from the previous year, while butane exports surged 15 per cent to an average of 56,100 bpd.

The strong growth was due to an overall rise in natural gas output from Canada last year, which led to greater production volumes of natural gas liquids such as propane and butane, the regulator said.

Canada currently has two marine propane export terminals located on the west coast of British Columbia. Two additional export terminals are under development - the Ridley Island Energy Export Facility, a joint project by Calgary-based AltaGas and Dutch multinational Royal Vopak - and Trigon Pacific LPG, led by Trigon Pacific Terminals.

These new terminals are expected to boost Canada's access to Asian markets due to their proximity compared to US Gulf Coast facilities. Canada is the second-largest supplier of propane to Japan and South Korea, after the US. In 2024, all of Canada's butane exports went to the United States.

(Reporting by Amanda Stephenson in Calgary; Editing by Marguerita Choy)