LPG imports set to rise as plants shut down

Liquefied petroleum gas imports in May are expected to hit 180,000 tonnes due to the scheduled shutdown for maintenance of PTT's first and sixth gas separation plants.

"Though LPG prices have been raised, demand will not fall much as LPG is still cheaper than petrol," Viraphol Jirapraditkul, directorgeneral of the Energy Business Department, said yesterday.

Average monthly imports are estimated at 150,000160,000 tonnes this year, up from 140,000 tonnes last year.

Due to higher consumption of LPG, subsidies for LPG have run up to Bt132.85 billion since 2008. As of February, there are 1,441 LPG stations, up from 1,185 in the previous month.

Viraphol said that the number of stations should not grow much from now, as higher prices will stem the demand. He also noted that the authorities have no plan to put control on the opening of new stations, as business operators must bear in mind the risk associated with price adjustment.

LPG consumption in February totalled 590,000 tonnes, down from 620,000 tonnes in January.

The abolition of 91-octane petrol since January boosted 95-octane petrol consumption in February to 1.73 million litres per day, against 100,000 litres per day late last year. Gasohol consumption also rose to 19.6 million litres a day, boosting the demand for ethanol from 1.2 million litres to 2 million litres a day.

Diesel consumption in the month stood at 59.5 million, slightly down from 60 million in January. Meanwhile, NGV consumption increased 7 per cent from the previous month to 8.6 million kg per day. The number of NGV-compatible vehicles rose to 389,203.

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Article source: http://www.thethailandlinks.com/2013/03/27/lpg-imports-set-to-rise-as-plants-shut-down/