Propane shortage ?

[adam2]

During and shortly after severe weather a few years ago there was a significant shortage of propane with long waits for the filling of bulk tanks or the supply of portable cylinders.
This shortage eased when the weather moderated, as one would expect.
Some shortages occured again in the very recent severe weather, and appear to be ongoing despite mild weather.

Perhaps the lockdown increased demand for LPG in rural homes ?
I expect ongoing shortages due to the about to re-open tourist economy in the South West and perhaps nationaly.

LPG is a very small part of national fuel use, but is significant in the leisure sector.
Many rural pubs, restaurants and hotels use the fuel.
It is also used for barbecues, outdoor cooking in general, and in caravans.
And the wretched outdoor heaters so popular outside pubs and cafes.

[kenneal - lagger]

There might also be a shortage of cylinders as retail suppliers seem to change gas companies on a regular basis and I end up with a dozen or so cylinders belonging to the former gas company. There should be a system for repatriating orphan cylinders!

They do make good outdoor fire places though so as not to waste them.

[BritDownUnder]

This is not something I have noticed in Australia. In fact the country is continuing using fossil fuels with gay abandon, one might say.
I recall that propane is an essential part of the process of processing natural gas into LNG as well as forming a part of the makeup of natural gas itself. I think it is used as a refrigerant to cool the methane and is also extracted during the process and stored in a large dedicated tank. It is even shipped around Australia in small tankers with the words LPG printed on the side.
One could deduce that with the decline in the UK's natural gas production and increased reliance on imports there could logically be less co products from natural gas production being around and the price may start to rise as well.

I ditched my two 45kg propane bottles, inherited when buying the house, several years ago having never filled them. The wife uses a small butane stove for cooking very stinky food outside on occasions and such a stove may be of use in the event of a natural disaster.

I have seen some very nice wood burning stoves built out of old LPG gas cylinders. All you seem to need is some imagination and some decent welding skills.

[anotherexlurker]

Calor 15kg Butane cylinders have been in short supply for the last month at least , most places will only sell a "refill" (exchange empty cylinder for a full one), even then there have been weeks when none of the local suppliers (oxfordshire) have had any in stock or known when calor would be delivering. Fortunately I had a few full cylinders for use during the last cold spell. I guess a combination of hospitality increasing use of "patio" heaters , the increase in people looking to use caravans and campervans , and home use for what some call a BBQ (I call it an outside Gas Grill ) will all have contributed to an increase in demand.

[adam2]

I have loaned a 19 kilo propane cylinder to a neighbour because otherwise "the toes of the children will turn blue*, before dropping off*" Bulk propane tank empty, and another week before refilling.
He thought he was well prepared, and is well stocked with most other supplies.

*one might suspect slight exageration.

[BritDownUnder]

A few interesting results of a media search.

From the curiously named Butane-Propane News : US Largest LPG exporter. There are some excellent graphs in this article showing the marginal cost of oil production for various countries, surprise surprise the UK leads the bunch, with well paid jobs on the North Sea oilrigs, and also fiscal breakeven points for various oil dependent exporters. Good Luck Libya on getting $200+ per bbl.

The good old FT: Propane supplies feel heat as Covid drives dining outdoors: Blames a local shortage in the US on people being forced to eat outside at restaurants and thereby needing lots of propane guzzzling heaters to stay warm. Flies are the problem in Aus.

Finally the good old Daily Mail was on to this last summer: Why you may struggle to get gas for your barbecue or caravan: Calor REFUSES to take on new customers after a 45% growth in demand causes nationwide shortages: Appears to indicate a cylinder shortage.

[adam2]

Perhaps this would be a good time to introduce a ban on patio heaters and similar products.
Prohibiting the use of existing appliances on private property might be problematic, but the TPTB could make a start by banning sales of the appliances.
Prohibiting use by restaurants and pubs might be possible.

[BritDownUnder]

Maybe by lending that propane cylinder to someone who is a neighbour you have let on about your preparations. If things turn bad you could expect a knock at the door for all kinds of things.

Like the movie "Fight Club" my first rule of preparations is... don't talk about preparations to people, especially neighbours.

[adam2]

Happening to have a spare propane cylinder for the barbecue season is not really "preperations" so I was pleased to assist.

[Catweazle]

Maybe by lending that propane cylinder to someone who is a neighbour you have let on about your preparations. If things turn bad you could expect a knock at the door for all kinds of things.

Like the movie "Fight Club" my first rule of preparations is... don't talk about preparations to people, especially neighbours.

The tricky question is "How do I steer my neighbours down the route to preparedness without disclosing my own ?" . Worst case scenario is when your neighbours preps consist of a plan to steal yours.

[adam2]

In this particular case I would consider that the neighbour IS a prepper and is well stocked with food, most fuel, and other supplies.
Not yet very well prepared WRT housing which consists of assorted caravans, portahuts, and a yurt. All ill insulated and largely heated with propane.

Building of a proper house is well underway, this will be well insulated, of good thermal mass and heated by a mixture of wood and renewably produced electricity. It is expected that the the new home will be completed before next winter.
At present they have at least 10 tons of logs but no wood stove.

Completion of the new house has been delayed by the pandemic and a shortage of slaves, er sorry rural studies students.

They will glad to be rid of the yurt which is described as a most unsatisfactory contraption that combines the worst features of a tent and a cheap building.

[kenneal - lagger]

I take it that the yurt has a canvas cover rather then the traditional felt one which would be a lot warmer.

What are they building the house from?

[adam2]

The yurt has two layers of canvas with some sort of insulation in between.

The new house is being built of stonecast blocks on the outside and concrete blocks on the inside, tied together with stainless steel ties accross the void which will be filled with insulation.
Internal major walls of cob for thermal mass, and incorporating a high thermal mass stove.

[BritDownUnder]

Maybe by lending that propane cylinder to someone who is a neighbour you have let on about your preparations. If things turn bad you could expect a knock at the door for all kinds of things.

Like the movie "Fight Club" my first rule of preparations is... don't talk about preparations to people, especially neighbours.

The tricky question is "How do I steer my neighbours down the route to preparedness without disclosing my own ?" . Worst case scenario is when your neighbours preps consist of a plan to steal yours.

Perhaps the second rule of preparations should be that, in the absence of sufficient government civil preparations, you must take sufficient measures and actions, and have the means to protect your preparations from the lack of preparations of others.

[BritDownUnder]

They will glad to be rid of the yurt which is described as a most unsatisfactory contraption that combines the worst features of a tent and a cheap building.

One has to wonder how the Mongols conquered the second largest empire in history with such a thing as a yurt to live in. Perhaps having such bad living conditions made them get out and explore a bit.