Who Uses Natural Gas Liquids?
The chemical industry is the largest consumer of natural gas liquids, mostly ethane that is used as a feedstock in the production of plastics and other products. Propane is used primarily for heating or fuel purposes. Refiners have a need for butane and isobutane. Some Players One major player on the infrastructure and processing side of the natural gas liquids market is Oneok Partners (NYSE:OKS) Oneok Partners operates 549,000 barrels per day of fractionation capacity in the United States. The company has seen its volumes increase sharply over the last five years, from 313,000 barrels per day in 2006 to an estimated 529,000 barrels per day in 2010. Oneok Partners is investing to add transport capacity in natural gas liquids, and plans to spend as much as $550 million to build a 525 mile natural gas liquids pipeline with a capacity of 60,000 barrels per day. The pipeline will be complete by 2013. Another player in natural gas liquids is Dominion Resources (NYSE:D), which has an extract
