The government has urged people across the country to abandon liquefied petroleum gas and embrace Piped Natural Gas (PNG). The center says encouraging people to switch from LPG to PNG is not because of an alleged “LPG shortage”, but because PNG is a cleaner and cheaper fuel.
As a precautionary measure in the middle of the war in the Middle East, the government has set guidelines for the use and purchase of LPG and also issued several recommendations and advisories for PNG users. They are:
1. No person having a PNG connection shall obtain a domestic LPG connection or take domestic LPG cylinder refills from or through any government oil company.
2. No person can have both PNG and LPG connections at the same time. “Such persons will be required to surrender their domestic LPG connection immediately,” the government said in the directive.
3. People need to request a PNG connection if possible in their area. In areas where this is not possible, people will have to get NOC for LPG connection. The Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry’s order states that LPG supply will “cease after three months” if a household does not opt for PNG despite availability.
4. No black marketing and rationing of LPG is allowed.
Read also | Petrol, Diesel, LPG Crisis LIVE Update: LPG ship Jag Vasant to reach Gujarat
What is the difference between LPG and PNG?
LPG is short for Liquefied Petroleum Gas and is composed mainly of propane and butane. Meanwhile, PNG stands for Piped Natural Gas and consists mainly of methane (CH4) and other higher hydrocarbons in small percentages.
LPG is supplied in liquid form in cylinders, while PNG is supplied by pipeline.
There is a significant difference in the way these two gases are formed.
LPG is produced in the oil refining process or is obtained in the processing of natural gas.
Read also | Strait of Hormuz: Two Indian LPG vessels arrive at Gujarat’s Vadinar terminal
“The gases produced in this process are mainly propane and butane with small amounts of other gases. These gases are liquefied by pressure to make them easier to transport and store,” Energy Education explains on its website.
Meanwhile, PNG is extracted from oil/gas wells and transported through a network of pipelines. “Raw gas is processed to remove impurities, transported through pipelines and distributed at lower pressures to homes and industry through a network of pipelines across the country.
Read also | Petrol, Diesel, LPG crisis update: India urges ‘free navigation’ through Hormuz
Why is PNG preferred over LPG?
There is not just one but many reasons to prefer PNG over LPG connection. Here’s why you should prefer using PNG:
1. PNG is environmentally friendly: Natural gas is one of the cleanest fuels
2. PNG is cheap: Indian Oil says natural gas is generally cheaper than liquid and other gaseous fuels
3. Uninterrupted PNG Delivery: PNG delivery is continuous and regular (24*7)
4. PNG has non-toxic, non-corrosive and non-carcinogenic properties
5. You only pay for the gas you use. PNG is measured similarly to electricity
6. No booking hassles: You don’t have to worry about scheduling deliveries, running out of fuel or changing gas cylinders
7. PNG does not need to be stored as it is piped like water
8. PNG is absolutely safe. In the event of a leak, the gas will rise and disperse into the surrounding air with adequate ventilation.
Read also | Government increases LPG allocation to states to 70% of pre-war level
Why is LPG and not PNG affected by the Middle East war
India imports about 60 percent of its LPG needs and “of these imports, about 90 percent come through the Strait of Hormuz, which has been affected by current events,” the government said earlier.
Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri said in Parliament earlier this month, “India used to import around 60 per cent of its LPG requirements from Gulf countries like Qatar, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait and 40 per cent is produced domestically.
Read also | Amid the LPG supply scare, which is cheaper – induction, fryer or microwave?
Meanwhile, for PNG, domestic natural gas and imported LNG account for a roughly 50:50 share of total consumption. PNG in India is sourced from domestic natural gas fields and imported LNG (converted back to gas).
According to data from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, India produced about 18,646 MMSCM of natural gas domestically and imported about 19,031 MMSCM of LNG during April-October 2019. “This gas also meets demand for Piped Natural Gas (PNG) and Compressed Natural Gas (CNG),” government stated in a press release.
Is there a shortage of LPG, gasoline?
While the government has dismissed claims of shortage of LPG and petrol as “rumours”, several restaurants and shops have reduced their menus. Several companies have reportedly informed employees of the restrictions on their meal plans. Some also advised them to work from home and “bring their own food”.
In a March 26 press release, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas said that LPG supplies are affected by the prevailing geopolitical situation, but “no drying up is reported at LPG distributors” and that “domestic LPG cylinder supplies are normal”.
