Purvin & Gertz is pleased to announce that our 23rd International LPG Seminar will convene on March 8-11, 2010.  Our seminar will take place at the Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center in The Woodlands, Texas, located north of Houston and within walking distance of the beautiful Woodlands Town Center and the Woodlands Mall.

Despite the difficult economic times our industry has encountered recently, the global LPG market has proven to be very resilient.  This year’s seminar theme, Fueling Our Future With LPG, highlights the numerous benefits our commodity will provide the world we live in for generations to come.  Our theme also serves the message that the merits of LPG will continue to provide opportunities in our industry for many years.

Much of our industry's success can be attributed to the fact that we are supported by one of the cleanest fuels in the world.  The many fine qualities and basic physical properties of LPG continue to support its growth.  It is indeed a multi-faceted fuel, used worldwide in over one thousand applications.  Many more uses for propane and butane are sure to evolve that will take advantage of LPG’s efficient and clean energy properties.

As we prepare to meet again in March, our industry is dealing with supply issues on both sides of the Atlantic due to the colder than normal weather we are experiencing.  Arbitrage conditions continue to support atypical U.S. exports of propane to foreign markets.  Despite growing length in LPG supply globally, wintertime demand always exceeds daily production rates and places a significant drain on inventory levels during the winter season.  Similar to the winter of 2008/2009, the cold winter of 2009/2010 is once again imparting a serious test of LPG distribution systems and highlighting important supply and delivery constraints and weaknesses.

Gas liquids prices have remained high relative to natural gas values, creating excellent gas processing margins throughout most of 2009.  On the E&P front, advanced drilling technologies and techniques have led to new gas discoveries and higher NGL output in several North American shale plays.  Huge LPG extraction plants in the Middle East are now beginning to come on stream after being delayed for some time.  These and other factors give us reason to believe that LPG supplies will continue to grow at a healthy pace for several years.

In addition to strong weather-related demand, petrochemical feedstock requirements for LPG have risen significantly since world economic conditions began to improve in early 2009.  Indonesia continues to advance its kerosene-to-LPG conversion program, resulting in rapid grow of its LPG demand and import needs.  China continues to show significant interest in replacing some LPG fuel markets with DME.  Overall demand for LPG East of the Suez continues to grow faster than demand West of the Suez, and Asia has demonstrated a larger than expected capacity for cracking LPG feedstocks.

An excellent slate of speakers will address each of these LPG supply/demand factors and subjects, as well as various topics related to LPG price values and economics.  A small sample of topics leading industry executives will present include:
-    Expansion of Mexico’s NGL supply infrastructure
-    Indonesia’s rapidly growing LPG market and the need for imports
-    Central American LPG markets and import infrastructure
-    Middle East LPG production and exports
-    Solutions for Canada’s overbuilt gas industry
-    Waterborne LPG trade patterns and shipping
-    DME as an LPG blendstock
-    Deliverability issues haunting the U.S. propane market

Our seminar remains one of the most prestigious and widely attended forums in our industry.  It not only offers attendees the opportunity to learn more about market fundamentals shaping our industry today and tomorrow, but provides an excellent networking opportunity and a chance for them to meet international LPG industry leaders and decision makers.

Monday, March 8, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Introduction to the World LPG Industry
This full-day workshop is designed as an introductory course for those relatively new to the international LPG industry. This workshop covers the basics on the LPG industry, market drivers, as well as hands-on exercises that will provide attendees with an excellent overall understanding of the LPG industry and its dynamics.
Course Fee: US$1000, separate registration is required.

Wednesday, March 10, 1:30 pm - 5:30 pm
Understanding NGL Feedstock Economics
This half-day workshop examines the economics of refinery and petrochemical processes that consume NGL as feedstocks. Using Purvin & Gertz’ methodologies, each class member will be given problems to solve and will gain first-hand experience in calculating various refining and petrochemical feedstock economics. Several examples that are pertinent to the Middle East and Asia markets for NGL will be discussed. This workshop is intended for anyone within the LPG industry requiring greater knowledge of the relationship between gas liquids and the refining and petrochemical industries.
Course Fee: US$600, separate registration is required.

Thursday, March 11, 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Global LPG Markets & Trade
This full-day workshop is designed as an intermediate level course, valuable to industry veterans as well as those new to the LPG industry. This course will deliver a detailed understanding of global LPG markets and trade, as well as hands-on exercises that will encourage participants to benefit from a high level focus on global LPG pricing, supply & demand, trade, storage, and freight, among others.
Course Fee: US$1000, separate registration is required.

The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel & Convention Center
1601 Lake Robbins Drive
The Woodlands, Texas 77380
United States of America
Phone: +1.281.367.9797

Please call the Woodlands Waterway Marriott as hotel reservations are now on a space-availability basis only.