2011年-世界发展银行全球_Residential_Market_for_LPG___A_Review_of_Experience_of_20_Developing_Countries_196页_2mb

Summary of Residential Market for LPG: A Review of Experience of 20 Developing Countries

Core Content

This report, prepared by William G. Matthews and Dr. Hilmar R. Zeissig for the World Bank, provides an in-depth analysis of the residential liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) market across 20 developing countries. It also includes case studies of Ontario, Canada, and Texas, United States, to highlight effective regulatory and market practices. The study focuses on legal frameworks, market structures, pricing policies, supply arrangements, infrastructure, and consumer safety practices.

Main Points

1. Consumption and Price Levels

• Household consumption of LPG varies widely across the 20 countries, influenced by income levels and the availability of alternative energy sources such as natural gas and electricity.
• Retail prices in December 2010 ranged from $0.40 to $3.26 per kg, with Morocco, Turkey, and the Dominican Republic being among the lowest and highest priced markets, respectively.
• Low-price markets such as Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Morocco, Jordan, and Thailand tend to have higher LPG consumption per capita.
• Subsidies are common in several countries, especially where small cylinders are used, leading to potential sustainability issues.

2. Regulatory Framework

• Many developing countries have incomplete or outdated downstream petroleum laws and regulations.
• International standards are often used de facto in countries like Afghanistan, the Dominican Republic, Fiji, Senegal, Thailand, and Vietnam, even when not officially adopted.
• Formal adoption of international standards (e.g., ISO, ASTM) is common in Albania, Ghana, Guatemala, Moldova, Morocco, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and Turkey, as well as in Ontario and Texas.
• Mexico and Peru issue detailed technical standards, often based on international norms, but do not formally adopt them.
• Legal adoption of standards is not always necessary for safety and quality, as long as enforcement mechanisms are strong and effective.

3. Industry Structure

• State ownership is common in bulk supply (12 countries), but only 8 countries have no state involvement in either bulk supply or distribution.
• Large bulk suppliers can reduce entry barriers for new operators by providing reliable supply without requiring them to build their own infrastructure.
• Peru serves as an example, where a state-owned enterprise with a major storage terminal supports over 50 distributors.

4. Supply Arrangements and Infrastructure

• Countries dependent on imported supply are expanding storage and transport infrastructure to improve economies of scale.
• Pakistan has a system of hospitality arrangements between land-based LPG storage facilities, which helps reduce infrastructure duplication and enhance efficiency.
• Centralized cylinder filling and return systems are prevalent, with empty cylinders being returned through the same network to filling plants.

5. Cylinder Management

• The most efficient system for delivering LPG to consumers is the centralized filling and return system, where consumers own cylinders and bring them to nearby plants for refilling or exchange.
• Mini-filling plant systems are limited to Ghana, with consumers being the owners of cylinders.
• Cylinder safety is a concern in centralized systems, as the mini-filling plant operators must have the expertise to reject unsafe cylinders.
• Smaller cylinders (3–6 kg) are common in several African countries and may be subsidized due to higher unit costs, leading to unsustainable subsidies in some cases.

6. Consumer Safety and Education

• Small distributors and consumers play a key role in the supply chain but are often neglected in regulatory efforts.
• Consumer education is critical, as many accidents occur in households where LPG is used.
• Regulators and suppliers should educate consumers and small distributors through simplified manuals, guidelines, and public awareness campaigns.
• LPG associations and international organizations like the World LPG Association are promoting consumer information and education.

7. LPG Supply and Distribution Chain

• The supply chain includes producers, traders, transporters, distributors, and retailers.
• Producers sell LPG at the refinery or natural gas processing plant.
• Traders and marketers buy in bulk and distribute to retailers and consumers.
• Transporters and distributors move LPG via truck, rail, or pipeline to regional depots, where it is refilled into cylinders for final consumers.
• Retailers may be branches of marketers, commission agents, or independent resellers.

8. Number of Cylinders per Residential Consumer

• In a centralized system, the number of cylinders in the system exceeds those in households.
• The coefficient of extra cylinders per client is estimated to be 0.8–1.0, leading to 1.8–2.0 cylinders per client in the entire system.
• The efficiency of the system depends on the geographic distribution of clients and the configuration of the distribution network.

Key Information

• LPG is a mixture of propane and butane, typically stored and transported as a liquid.
• Propane and butane have different boiling points, with propane boiling at -42°C and butane at 0°C.
• Odorants like ethyl mercaptan are added to LPG to detect leaks and prevent explosions.
• International standards are often applied by regulators and industry in developing countries, even without formal adoption.
• Certification of private installers is recommended to enhance safety and reduce the risk of accidents.
• Consumer education and safety awareness are crucial for effective LPG usage.
• LPG associations and regulatory bodies play a key role in promoting safety, fair competition, and consumer information.

Conclusion

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the residential LPG market in 20 developing countries and highlights the importance of regulatory frameworks, consumer education, and efficient supply chains in ensuring safe and sustainable LPG usage. It emphasizes the value of international standards and the need for stronger institutional capacities to enforce them. The case studies of Ontario and Texas serve as models for effective LPG governance.