The Asian liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market stood at over $81.4 billion in 2018 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 5% to cross $109 billion by 2024, as increasing demand for LPG as a fuel for power generation in remote and off-grid locations in comparison to its less environment-friendly alternatives like coal, diesel and fuel oil.
Increasing demand for LPG used to run vehicles (Autogas) is being witnessed as it is a comparatively cheaper automotive fuel and can be used in vast applications related to transportation, said a report by ResearchAndMarkets.
Of the overall LPG consumed across the globe, nearly 87% is used for residential/consumer use.
By source, the Asian LPG market has been categorized into Refinery, Associated Gases & Non-Associated Gases. Among the sources, Refinery category accounted for a largest share in 2018.
However, non-Associated gases category is expected to witness the highest growth rate during 2019-2024 as LPG from non-associated gas sources is immune to crude oil price fluctuations. During 2014-2018 as well, non-associated gas-based LPG was the fastest growing segment with a CAGR of 4.8%.
Natural gas, natural gas liquid/condensate and shale gas producing reserves are the major sources of non-associated gas-based LPG. Fluctuation in crude oil prices have resulted in unfavorable market conditions for refinery-based LPG. In such scenario, extracting more LPG from non-associated gas reserves becomes a more economically viable option.
Among countries, Bangladesh LPG market is expected to grow at the fastest rate during the forecast period. To counter the decreasing gas reserves of the country, LNG is scheduled to be imported and blended with domestic gas in the national gas pipeline in Bangladesh.
Additionally, to support the sustainable LPG infrastructure, the government of Bangladesh is actively considering reduction of duties and taxes on import of LPG and LPG cylinders to boost import and to expand its usage to ease mounting gas crisis.
The budget of FY2017-18 rationalized the Customs and Supplementary duty which has had a positive impact on LPG cylinder price for end-users. India accounts for the largest share in the Asian LPG market.
India becomes world's second largest LPG consumer after government's Ujjawla Push FY19. Ujjwala scheme boosted India's LPG consumption to a record high in FY19. India consumed more than 24 million tonnes of LPG in the financial year FY19.
Key players in the Asian LPG market are Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL), Petro Vietnam Gas, Reliance Industries Limited (RIL), China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), Sinopec, Petronas, WP Energy etc., among others.
