Iran's LPG exports are projected at around 6 million mt in 2022, with China poised to remain the main buyer, and the volume could be higher if the US lifted sanctions imposed by former President Trump on the country's energy sector since 2018, sources familiar with the matter said.
"The export volume is between 450,000-530,000 mt/month, depending on vessel availability," a source told S&P Global Platts Jan. 26.
"The production is increasing, but the problem is the limited number of vessels that are calling at Iranian ports. China is the main and biggest importer of Iranian LPG and without any change in 2022."
Exports in December 2021 totaled 531,000 mt, compared with 539,500 mt in November and 363,500 in October, another source familiar with the matter said, adding that the shipments comprised a mix of propane and butane.
Last year, shipments peaked in September at around 556,000 mt, Platts reported earlier, citing trade sources.
LPG exports from Iran since July-August 2021 were hovering near two-year highs of around 500,000 mt/month, trade sources had said.
Other trade sources estimated Iran's 2022 LPG exports at around 5.6 million mt, from 5.5 million last year. But analysts said Iran is expected to boost exports by 1.9 million mt this year.
The country aims to bring onstream 130 million cu m/d of additional gas production capacity in 2022. This includes gas from the delayed phase 11 of offshore South Pars field and emergency onshore operations as domestic consumption surpasses production, Mohsen Khojastehmehr, managing director of National Iranian Oil Co. was quoted by the students news agency ISNA in December.