LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)
is predominantly propane and butanes, either
segregated or in various ratios and mixtures of
each product. LPG is a by-product of crude oil
production (Associated Gas) and a by-product of
natural gas production (Non Associated Gas). It
is also a by-product of the refinery process,
transported mainly in pressurised vessels.
Associated and Non Associated LPG or NGL’s
(Natural Gas Liquids) are shipped via pipeline
in large quantities where possible, for example
in the US, and via refrigerated VLGC’s (Very
Large Gas Carriers) from, for example, the US
Gulf Coast to Japan. As well as being a
fundamental building block in the petrochemical
process, LPG it also a convenient fuel used
globally for domestic purposes; in the northern
hemisphere, LPG is used for home heating, while
in Africa it is used as a cooking gas. In some
markets, LPG is also used as a fuel for cars
(known as Autogas).