2007年-世界发展银行全球_Cameroonian_LP_Gas_Sector_Study_71页_1mb

Summary of the Cameroonian LPG Sector Study

Core Content

This document is a study on the LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas) sector in Cameroon, conducted by the World Bank's Oil and Gas Policy Division in 2007. It serves as a follow-up to the earlier Nigerian LPG Sector Improvement Study, drawing lessons from that experience to analyze and suggest improvements for Cameroon's LPG market.

The study outlines the current state of the LPG sector, its legal and regulatory framework, supply and demand dynamics, distribution infrastructure, safety issues, and investment requirements. It also highlights the challenges faced by the poor in accessing LPG and proposes strategies for improving the sector.

Main Points

1. LPG Industry Structure

• The Cameroonian LPG market is composed of three main participants: the government, quasi-public corporations, and private operators.
• The primary marketers include:
  • SCTM (private): Controls 50.3% of the market through 781 retail outlets and is a major cylinder manufacturer.
  • TOTAL: 22.7% of the market through 188 retail outlets.
  • CAMGAZ: 18.7% of the market with 48 retail outlets.
  • MOBIL: 4.9% of the market with 14 retail outlets.
  • TEXACO: 3.5% of the market with 91 retail outlets.

2. Legal and Regulatory Structure

• Several laws and decrees regulate the LPG sector, with Decree Nbr. 022/MINEE (2001) being the most significant.
• The CSPH (Caisse de Stabilisation des Prix des Hydrocarbures) is responsible for stabilizing and equalizing petroleum product prices.
• Price controls and subsidies are still in place, which limits market flexibility and creates inefficiencies.

3. LPG Demand

• LPG consumption in Cameroon increased from 3,070 MT in 1976 to 41,926 MT in 2004.
• 93% of LPG is used for household purposes, while 7% is for commercial and industrial use.
• Projected consumption by 2025:
  • Most likely scenario: 122,375 MT, increasing per-capita consumption to 4.04 kg/cap/yr.
  • High-growth scenario: 173,373 MT, leading to 5.72 kg/cap/yr.
  • Low-growth scenario: 73,346 MT, with per-capita consumption dropping to 2.42 kg/cap/yr.

4. LPG Supply

• LPG supply in Cameroon is sourced from both domestic production (SONARA refinery) and imports.
• Imports increased from 10% of total consumption in 1998 to 30% in 2004.
• SCDP is the only company with primary LPG storage outside the SONARA refinery, with a storage capacity of 2,260 MT (unchanged for over 20 years), leading to a 3,077 MT shortage in 2005.
• Transportation is mainly by sea, rail, and road, but faces capacity constraints and aging infrastructure.

5. LPG Distribution Infrastructure

• Distribution is highly uneven, with 94% of LPG consumption concentrated in 3 out of 10 provinces.
• 30.1% of well-to-do households account for 93.7% of total residential LPG use.
• The average access rate to LPG in 2004 was 19.5%, with 38.1% in urban areas and 3.1% in rural areas.
• Gas cylinders are the main distribution method, with 12.5 kg bottles being the most common (88.7% of inventory), followed by 6 kg and 3 kg bottles (9.7% and 1.6%, respectively).
• Cylinder deposits vary by region, contributing to limited availability and bottle interchangeability.

6. Safety and Image of LPG

• Safety issues are prevalent across all LPG sub-sectors, including production, storage, transportation, distribution, and consumption.
• Major safety lapses include:
  • Poor handling and lack of training at storage facilities.
  • Inadequate truck inspections and operational discipline in transportation.
  • Insufficient safety measures in rail and road transport.
  • Improper cylinder handling and storage.
  • High incidence of accidents and injuries, with 3.3% of LPG-consuming households affected in 2004.
• Safety training and public awareness campaigns are lacking, leading to preventable accidents.

7. Automotive Use of LPG

• LPG is not used as an automotive fuel in Cameroon, despite a fleet of 300,000 vehicles.
• Reasons include:
  • Safety concerns.
  • Poor vehicle condition.
  • Lack of information and promotion about LPG benefits.
  • Limited incentives for its adoption.

8. Investment and Funding Requirements

• Total investment needed in the LPG sector from now until 2025 is estimated at 78.535 billion FCFA.
• Investment breakdown by sector:
  • Storage: 35,016 million FCFA
  • Transportation: 12,358 million FCFA
  • Gas Bottles: 20,688 million FCFA
  • Retail Outlets: 7,480 million FCFA
  • LPG Promotion: 2,992 million FCFA
• The study highlights the need for investment in storage, transportation, and distribution infrastructure, as well as promotional campaigns.

9. Access to LPG by the Poor

• Only 3.7% of the poor use LPG, with access rates in rural areas at 3.1% in 2004.
• The Far North Province has the lowest accessibility rate, with 1 retail outlet per 151,300 inhabitants.
• Poor access is due to remote location, lack of infrastructure, and deforestation.

10. Critical Issues and Strategies

• Despite growth, the LPG market has not fully realized its potential due to:
  • Continued gas flaring (until a major recovery project is completed).
  • Inefficient pricing mechanisms.
  • Uneven distribution and low accessibility for the poor.
• Strategies and action plans include:
  • Revisiting pricing structures to improve efficiency.
  • Increasing LPG storage and transportation capacity.
  • Expanding the number of gas cylinders and retail outlets.
  • Implementing safety training and regulatory reforms.
  • Developing a targeted growth policy to stimulate LPG use in underserved areas.
  • Conducting a stakeholders workshop to finalize a roadmap for policy implementation.

Key Information

• Cameroon's LPG consumption has grown significantly over the years, but remains low per capita compared to neighboring countries.
• Gas flaring continues to be a major issue, with associated gas still being burned rather than utilized.
• Safety is a critical concern, with numerous accidents reported and a lack of regulatory enforcement.
• Access to LPG is limited, especially in rural and northern regions, where deforestation is severe.
• Investment is needed to expand storage, transportation, and distribution infrastructure, and to improve market penetration.
• Regulatory reforms are essential to address inefficiencies and ensure sustainable development of the LPG sector.

Conclusion

The Cameroonian LPG sector has potential for growth but is hindered by structural inefficiencies, inadequate infrastructure, and safety concerns. The study emphasizes the need for a comprehensive policy approach, including market liberalization, safety improvements, and targeted investment in storage, transportation, and distribution. A stakeholders workshop is proposed to develop a roadmap for policy implementation and to ensure that the LPG sector can meet the growing demand and improve access for the poor.