Gulf coast exports signal growing divide in U.S. ethane markets

The first ethane cargo from Morgan’s Point Terminal marks a critical milestone in Gulf Coast ethane markets. Ethane markets will increasingly divide, with the Gulf Coast tightening and the Northeast remaining oversupplied. The United States will become the global leader in ethane exports, with capacity increasing to more than 400,000 barrels per day (b/d) by 2018.

ICF International expects that the dramatic start-up of Gulf Coast ethane exports and sharply growing domestic petrochemical demand will result in rising Gulf Coast ethane prices and a bifurcation in ethane markets between the Gulf Coast and Marcellus/Utica region.