Market Snapshot: Annual Trade Summary – Natural Gas Liquids Exports

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Release date: 2025-06-04

In 2024, Canada experienced strong growth in natural gas liquids (NGLs) exports, driven by increased natural gas production in Alberta and British Columbia. This rise in gas output led to greater production volumes of NGLs, including propane and butane. Daily exports of Canadian NGLs in 2024 averaged 218.3 thousand barrels per day (Mb/d) for propane and 56.1 Mb/d for butane, representing an 9.2% increase for propane and a 15.0% increase for butane from the previous year’s volumes.

In 2024, the average export price of propane rose to 33.93 Canadian cents per litre (¢ /L), up from 30.31 ¢ /L in 2023. The total value of propane exports reached $4.31 billion (3.15 billion USDFootnote 1) in 2024 , an increase of 22.6% from the previous year.

In 2024, the average export price of butane was 31.79 ¢ /L, slightly up from 31.28 ¢ /L in 2023. The total value of butane exports reached $1.04 billion (0.76 billion USD) in 2024, an increase of 17.2% from the previous year.

Figure 1: Propane and Butanes- Exports by Year or Month

Source and Text Alternative

Source: CER Commodity Tracking System Statistics: Natural Gas Liquids – Propane and Butanes – Export Volume Summary; Export Price

Text Alternative: This figure shows yearly and monthly Propane and Butanes exports over a five-year period in thousand barrels per day or thousand cubic metres per day. For the latest export data, including updates and revisions, please see the Commodity Statistics page.

In 2024, 57.7% of Canada’s propane exports went to the U.S. This was a slightly lower share than 2023, even though total volumes to the U.S. rose by 8.6%. Within the U.S., imported volumes varied by region: 25.9% went to Petroleum Administration for Defense District (PADD)Footnote 2 I (with volumes up 31.1% from 2023), 31.1% to PADD II (up 11.7%), 4.4% to PADD III (up 85.9%), 5.2% to PADD IV (down 28.0%), and 33.4% to PADD V (down 4.3%). The share of propane exports to non-U.S. markets grew slightly in 2024, to 42.3% from 41.8% in 2023. These exports, which grew by 10.8%, went to non-U.S. markets such as Japan, South Korea, and Mexico.

In 2024, all of Canada’s butane exports went to the U.S., with different regions receiving varying volumes. Specifically, 8.3% was delivered to PADD I (with volumes down 3.4% from 2023), 31.7% to PADD II (up 28.8%), 2.3% to PADD III (up 45.6%), 5.0% to PADD IV (up 45.4%), and 52.6% to PADD V (up 8.7%).

Figure 2: Propane and Butanes Export Volumes to U.S. by Region

Source and Text Alternative

Source: CER Commodity Tracking System Statistics: Natural Gas Liquids – Propane and Butanes – Export Volume Summary; Export Price

Text Alternative: This figure shows monthly exports over a five-year period from Canada to five U.S. Petroleum Administration for Defense Districts (PADDs). For the latest export data, including updates and revisions, please see the Commodity Statistics page.

In 2024, rail was the primary mode of transportation for Canadian propane and butane exports, accounting for 49.0% and 90.5%, respectively. Marine shipments made up 40.8% of propane exports. Since 2020 Canada has become the second largest supplier of propane to Japan and Soth Korea, after the U.S. The Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal (RIPET) in Prince Rupert, British Columbia, began operating in May 2019 and now ships propane directly to Asia. The Ferndale terminal in Washington State also helps to move Canadian propane to Asian markets. Pipelines transported 7.1% of propane and 9.2% of butane. Truck exports were minimal, representing just 2.9% of propane and 0.2% of butaneFootnote 3.

Western Canada and U.S. West Coast LPG Terminals

Canada's propane export infrastructure has expanded rapidly in recent years, driven by a growing network of operational and developing Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) export terminals on the B.C. coast. These facilities play a key role in supplying propane to international markets, especially in Asia, given its proximity to eastern Asia markets compared with U.S. Gulf Coast LPG export facilities.

Canada currently operates two marine propane export terminals: the 80 Mb/d Ridley Island Propane Export Terminal (RIPET) and the 25 Mb/d Prince Rupert Terminal. Both terminals receive propane delivered by rail from Western Canada. Propane comes mainly from natural gas processing and oil refining, with large production areas in Alberta and northeast British Columbia. Two additional LPG export terminals are under development: the Ridley Island Energy Export Facility (REEF), a joint project by AltaGas and Royal Vopak (50 to 60 Mb/d), and the 67 Mb/d Trigon Pacific LPG, led by Trigon Pacific Terminals Limited. REEF is currently under construction and is expected to start operations by the end of 2026Footnote 4, and Trigon plans to start operations in 2028, pending regulatory approvals. In addition, the 75 Mb/d Ferndale LPG Export Terminal in Washington State (PADD V), operated by AltaGas, also exports Canadian propane to Asian markets. In Washington State (PADD V), operated by AltaGas, also exports Canadian propane to Asian markets.

Figure 3: Propane and Butanes Exports by Mode of Transportation

Source and Text Alternative

Source: CER Commodity Tracking System Statistics: Natural Gas Liquids – Propane and Butanes – Export Volume Summary; Export Price

Text Alternative: This figure shows Propane and Butanes Exports by Mode of Transportation over a five-year period. For the latest export data, including updates and revisions, please see the Commodity Statistics page.

For more information on the Canada’s natural gas liquids trade, please visit the Propane and Butanes Export Summary.

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