LPG consumption spikes 18.9%
Higher oil prices have pushed up demand for liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) by 18.9 per cent to 543,000 tonnes a month on average, according to the Energy Business Department.
Higher demand of LPG is witnessed in all sectors, except the manufacturing sector as the price of LPG for industrial use was raised in July. Natural gas for vehicle (NGV) consumption also rose from 5 million kilograms per day to 6.4 million.
Viraphol Jirapraditkul, director-general of the department, expected LPG consumption growth to slow down slightly if the prices are raised next year. LPG for household use however would see continued growth as price is maintained, he said.
By sector, households consumed 221,000 tonnes of LPG per month, industrial sector 60,000 tonnes, transport 76,000 tonnes and petrochemical 186,000. Meanwhile, NGV consumption could rise thanks to LPG price adjustment as well as the expansion of NGV stations from 460 to 530.
Thailand in 2011 imported 870,000 barrels of crude oil.
