Cress LPG plans 1,000 LPG auto gas stations in Pakistan

Cress LPG, Ltd., has finalized a plan to establish as many as 1,000 liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) auto gas stations across Pakistan.
“We are going to introduce 1,000… LPG auto gas stations by 2015 and the first one will be inaugurated in Mandra, Rawalpindi, this month in order to provide environment-friendly and safe fuel to consumers,” company director Khalid Naeem said.
The company, he revealed, had obtained a license from the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) to construct the first facility, which would then be expanded to all main cities within two years.
The officer hoped the initiative would receive support at the government level as it could not afford to supply compressed natural gas, or CNG, for long due to a supply shortage, and LPG could be conveniently imported or locally produced to meet demand.
Replying to a question, Naeem said, “We don’t foresee any opposition from the CNG sector as the CNG stations’ owners could easily install LPG dispensers within their existing facility at a small amount.”
He said consumers could readily switch over to LPG as its kit was cheaper, it was safe and secure, and vehicles get good mileage as compared to CNG.
However, he said there was a need for the OGRA and the Explosive Department to lead the way instead of putting up hurdles, so the energy shortage in the country can be overcome.
The LPG Distributors Association Chairman Irfan Khokhar has also expressed optimism that the government would create measures to promote LPG, thus providing some relief to consumers. He stated that the association would fully cooperate with the government to make this happen.
He said he recently visited Europe, where an MoU was signed with a company to open an LPG auto gas station in Pakistan and the company officials would be visiting the Pakistani government to bring the plan to life.
(June 19, 2013)