Propane Supply Update From Eric Osterhaus, VP of Energy
Dec 19, 2025
Earlier this week, our governor shared some information stating that propane was in short supply. I wanted to share a little more info on that. The eastern pipeline leg, which feeds into Lecompton, KS, and then extends into the KC area and north, is experiencing issues with water in the lines that has also contaminated the storage tanks. There are many concerns that the contamination may have made it all the way into customer tanks as well, which has led to valves and lines freezing up. They are currently trying to drain the eastern pipeline leg to inject methanol to eliminate the water issues.
Ag Partners pulls 99% of our propane from Clay Center, KS, which is on the western pipeline leg. There are no issues with the western leg at this time, other than some longer lines at Clay Center. Neither pipeline has been put on allocation at this time. Anticipations are that the eastern leg, once issues are corrected, could have a large pull of product and possibly go on allocation, maybe sometime later next week. What could potentially happen then is that a lot of transports will further shift to the western leg to meet demand. If overall demand gets to be too much, they will put the western pipeline on allocation as well to help ensure that the "local" companies are able to get their needed amounts.
Ag Partners Coop is in really good shape to have plenty of allocated loads, meaning our customers should have nothing to be concerned about during this issue. Because Ag Partners buys from several different suppliers, and at the quantities of propane we do buy, we are guaranteed to have plenty of loads. Nationwide, there are no issues of a propane shortage. The only issue at this time is just the water issues in the eastern pipeline leg.
We have received numerous calls this week regarding these issues, so I want to ensure everyone that we will have no issues being able to care for our customers’ propane needs. If anything happens to change, I will share an update as soon as possible, and our team will put together whatever procedures we would need to keep our customers warm this winter.
Ag Partners pulls 99% of our propane from Clay Center, KS, which is on the western pipeline leg. There are no issues with the western leg at this time, other than some longer lines at Clay Center. Neither pipeline has been put on allocation at this time. Anticipations are that the eastern leg, once issues are corrected, could have a large pull of product and possibly go on allocation, maybe sometime later next week. What could potentially happen then is that a lot of transports will further shift to the western leg to meet demand. If overall demand gets to be too much, they will put the western pipeline on allocation as well to help ensure that the "local" companies are able to get their needed amounts.
Ag Partners Coop is in really good shape to have plenty of allocated loads, meaning our customers should have nothing to be concerned about during this issue. Because Ag Partners buys from several different suppliers, and at the quantities of propane we do buy, we are guaranteed to have plenty of loads. Nationwide, there are no issues of a propane shortage. The only issue at this time is just the water issues in the eastern pipeline leg.
We have received numerous calls this week regarding these issues, so I want to ensure everyone that we will have no issues being able to care for our customers’ propane needs. If anything happens to change, I will share an update as soon as possible, and our team will put together whatever procedures we would need to keep our customers warm this winter.