What is LPG?
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) is a portable, clean and efficient energy source which is readily available to consumers around the world. LPG is a co-product of natural gas and crude oil production; its unique properties make it a versatile energy source which can be used in more than 1,000 different applications.
Discover the benefits of LPG in several languages.
What’s in
a Name?
LPG stands for “Liquefied Petroleum Gas”. The term is widely used to describe two prominent members of a family of light hydrocarbons called “Natural Gas Liquids” (NGLs): propane (C3H8) and butane (C4H10).
The term “liquefied gas” may seem a contradiction in terms since all things in nature are either a liquid or a solid or a gas. Yet, liquidity is the unique character of LPG that makes it such a popular and widely used fuel. At normal temperature and pressure, LPG is gaseous. It changes to a liquid when subjected to modest pressure or cooling. In liquid form the tank pressure is about twice the pressure in a normal truck tyre, which means it is very safe when properly handled. LPG is a derivative of two large energy industries: the processing of natural gas liquids and the refining of crude oil.
Propane and Butane are chemically quite similar but the difference in their properties means that they are particularly suited to specific uses.
Propane’s lower boiling point suits outdoor storage and is primarily used for central heating, cooking as a transport fuel and numerous commercial applications.
Butane, is used mainly in cylinders for portable applications in mobile heaters in the home, and for leisure activities such as boats, caravans and barbecues. Butane can only be used as a propellant, refrigerant or to fuel torches. Often, Propane and Butane will be mixed to get the best energy yields and properties.
Propane or Butane?
200 million
LPG cylinders in circulation in India with 20 million being added annually.
87%
of Bolivia’s population uses LPG as fuel of which 97% is bottled.
44 Million
residential consumers are served by the US LPG industry.
Where does LPG
come from?
LPG has two origins: approximately 60% is recovered during the extraction of natural gas and oil from the earth, and the remaining 40% is produced during the refining of crude oil.
Where is LPG used?
There are more than 1,000 applications of LPG. Hundreds of millions of people currently use LPG and depend on it for thousands of applications, in commercial business, industry, transportation, farming, power generation, cooking, heating and for recreational purposes.
Why use LPG?
LPG is an efficient, portable, clean, versatile and accessible energy source.
LPG & Society
With an immediate and global availability, environmental benefits, its natural co-product origin, transportation flexibility and diverse application, LPG plays a pivotal role in the transition towards a more secure, sustainable and competitive energy model.
Using LPG
At Home
On the Move
At Work
For Fun
On the Farm
Other Applications