India Sets Record for U.S. LPG Imports as Gulf Supplies Constrained

India is importing record volumes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) from the United States in June, according to a report from OilPrice.com. Indian refining sources estimate the country will receive between 1.1 million and 1.2 million tons of U.S. LPG this month, nearly double the 648,300 tons imported in May.

The surge in imports is a direct response to supply constraints from the Middle East following the Iran war, which has choked shipments through the Strait of Hormuz. According to the report, 90% of all Indian LPG imports typically pass through that strait. India uses LPG as its primary cooking fuel, with around 60% of households relying on it.

To secure supply, India is boosting agreements outside the Middle East. The country also signed a strategic agreement with the United Arab Emirates last month and will double its LPG imports from the UAE in June to about 300,000 tons. The increased U.S. exports of LPG, propane, and butane to Asia since the war began in late February represent a significant shift in trade flows for U.S. energy products.

In other operator news, analysts at BMI have projected the evolution of global oil and gas markets through to 2050, according to a summary from Rigzone. The details of the report were not provided in the source material.

Separately, Perenco and its partners have inked a gas sales agreement for the Su Tu Trang Phase 2B project in Vietnam, Rigzone reported. The project will supply more than 600 billion cubic feet of gas over its life, supporting energy demand in Southeast Vietnam and contributing to the country's energy security.

For Bakken operators, the record U.S. LPG exports to India underscore the growing global demand for American hydrocarbons, particularly as geopolitical events disrupt traditional supply routes. North Dakota is a significant producer of natural gas liquids, including propane, which falls under the LPG category. Sustained international demand can provide a supportive market for these co-products, which are crucial for the economics of Bakken wells.

The analyst projections for long-term market evolution and new international gas sales agreements highlight the ongoing structural changes in the global energy landscape. Bakken producers must navigate these shifts while maintaining focus on efficient operations in North Dakota's core formation.