LPG stands for Liquid Petroleum Gas. It is an ignitable mixture of hydrocarbon gases used as a fuel in vehicles and heating appliances. LPG has become an indispensable energy source in the United Kingdom, particularly for off-grid applications.

What is LPG made of?

LPG is predominantly composed of propane and butane. Additionally, it contains trace quantities of propylene, butylenes, ethane, and methane. The typical structure is:

Propane: 70% to 90%
Butane: 10% to 30%

Propane and butane are the primary components because they can be readily liquefied under pressure, allowing for liquid transportation. The other gases are in minute quantities and provide the odorant to detect breaches.

The production process

LPG is generated by two primary methods:

As an outgrowth of the processing of natural gas and refining petroleum oil, this represents sixty per cent of global LPG production during the extraction and separation of hydrocarbons during the processing of natural gas and oil.
From LPG-specific processing facilities. These facilities extract LPG from natural gas fields and oil wells containing substantial LPG hydrocarbons.

Saudi Arabia, the United States, China, Russia, and Iran are leading LPG producers. The United Kingdom produces approximately 1.5 million tonnes of LPG annually from its North Sea oil and gas deposits and onshore terminals. However, this only fulfils a small portion of the UK’s total demand.

The supply of LPG

While some LPG used in the UK is produced domestically, more than 90% is imported. This is due to the inability of domestic sources to meet total demand. The primary import origins are:

Qatar provides roughly 30% of the United Kingdom’s LPG imports. Qatar has made substantial investments in its LPG production infrastructure and has vast reserves.

Belgium and Norway supply approximately 15% of the United Kingdom’s imports, predominantly through their North Sea operations. Russia, Saudi Arabia, as well as the United Arab Emirates, contribute to the remaining imports. The United Kingdom has four main import terminals for LPG that receive supplies by sea:

Teesside and Immingham located on the east coast, are Teesside and Immingham.
Fawley and Canvey Island are located on the southern coast.

These terminals enable the importation of substantial quantities of LPG. The United Kingdom’s pipeline connections with continental Europe also augment its import capabilities.

Warehousing and Distribution

Once LPG has been imported, it is temporarily stored in pressurised storage containers at the terminals before being distributed throughout the UK via:

Rail vehicles
Tanker vehicles
Pipeline systems

Over 200 LPG storage facilities are managed by various corporations across the United Kingdom. LPG is delivered in bulk to bottling facilities and packaged in cylinders for retail distribution.

Major distributors such as Calor Gas and Flogas have fleets of transporters that deliver cylinders directly to consumers, ensuring that LPG is available nationwide.

Applicable Uses of LPG

LPG has many essential applications:

LPG provides central heating and room heaters to over 200,000 households in the United Kingdom that aren’t connected to the main gas grid. Additionally, many enterprises utilise LPG.
LPG fuels furnaces, hobs, and other cooking appliances in residential and commercial kitchens, particularly in off-grid areas.
Motor Fuel: Over 200,000 vehicles in the United Kingdom operate on LPG as autogas, a cheaper alternative to petrol and diesel. Converting conventional engines to operate on LPG is possible.
LPG fuels barbecues, camping stoves, and other recreational/outdoor apparatus. Off-grid caravans and motorhomes also frequently utilise LPG.
Industrial/Commercial : LPG is utilised in numerous industrial applications, including metal cutting, plastic moulding, culinary processing, and waste disposal. Additionally, forklifts are progressively adopting LPG.

Environmental Advantages

LPG offers comparative environmental benefits compared to other hydrocarbon fuels:

LPG reduces carbon monoxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, contributing to air pollution. This improves air quality, particularly in urban areas.
LPG emits less carbon dioxide per unit of energy than fuels like coal and oil. Consequently, carbon dioxide emissions are reduced.
BioLPG, chemically identical to traditional LPG, can be produced from renewable sources like organic waste. This provides a sustainable route for LPG.

To conclude

LPG is an essential imported combustible gas in the United Kingdom.
It plays a vital role in supplying energy for heating, transportation, and various industrial processes.
LPG offers a flexible energy solution, making it suitable for applications located outside the grid.

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