Luanda - Angola produces 420,000 metric tons of butane gas per year, beyond the domestic market's consumption needed capacity, the secretary of State for Oil and Gas, José Barroso, said Thursday in Luanda.
Speaking on the sidelines of a workshop on "All About Butane Gas", Barroso said that 90 percent of production comes from Angola-LNG, six percent from Sonangol (Luanda Refinery) and four percent from Chevron (which exclusively serves Cabinda Province).
According to Barroso, the production, which makes Angola self-sufficient, has concentrated around 80% of consumption in seven of the country's provinces.
The secretary of State added that the Ministry is developing strategies to expand the use of this product throughout the country, with a view to reaching all families and to protect the environment.
Asked about the export of butane gas, José Barroso said that the priority is to supply the domestic market, while the surplus has been exported, particularly to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Congo.
The secretary of State added that butane gas sector needs investment, especially in the production, marketing and distribution chains.
The official explained taht Angola has "around 5 million bottles of butane gas in circulation, however 75 percent of them are in a poor state.
He called on entrepreneurs and investors to invest in the butane gas business segment, where only five companies dominate the distribution market across the country.
The inspector of the Petroleum by-produts Regulatory Institute (IRDP), Amilton da Silva, said the country needs more and new operators to boost butane gas supply, underlining the need to extend butane gas value chain to achieve efficiency in the production of equipment and accessories, distribution and marketing.
According to the official, Angola has an onshore storage capacity of 11,727 metric tons (which he considers small), with 19 filling centers and four terminals, namely in the provinces of Cabinda, Luanda, Benguela and Namibe.
Butane gas, known as cooking gas, also known as liquefied petroleum, is obtained by refining crude oil and processing natural gas.
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