Whether you use fuel oil, electricity or firewood, are you thinking about converting your home’s current energy source to propane gas? Are you already using propane for your agricultural, commercial or industrial installations? You are probably wondering if there will always be enough propane to meet your needs in the upcoming years. Is propane a sustainable energy?
No need to panic, you won’t run out of propane for a long time. Here’s why you don’t have to worry about a propane shortage.
Canada Is a Major Propane Gas Producer
Propane gas is a light hydrocarbon that is composed of carbon and hydrogen. It is a by-product that is obtained through crude oil refining operations or from natural and other associated gas extraction processes.
In Canada, 85% of propane comes from natural gas liquids that are obtained from the processing of natural gas in multiple factories throughout Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Saskatchewan. The rest is mostly produced in refineries located in different provinces. Canada is therefore the fourth-largest producer of propane in the world, with more than half of it being used in its own territory. The rest is mainly exported to the United States.
An Easily Transportable and Storable Energy
Under normal conditions and temperatures, propane is in gaseous form, but it is stored and transported in liquid form in high-pressure tanks. Propane is indeed much more compact in its liquid state, so one liter of propane in a tank is equivalent to 270 liters in its gaseous form. In addition, propane tanks are very reliable because they are made of heavy gauge steel, and they have safety valves to vent the gas if a problem arises. These tanks must be approved by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) and manufactured according to the standards of the Canadian Standards Association (CSA).
It is important to note that propane does not degrade over time. This means that it can be stored for a very long time without compromising its quality. While Canada’s significant propane gas reserve is estimated at approximately 2.4 billion cubic meters, the local annual demand for propane is only around 6 million cubic meters. Therefore, no need to worry about a potential shortage for many years to come.
Propane gas is safe to transport, so it can be carried over very long distances to numerous factories or large supply centers nationwide. It can even be transported to large suppliers by pipeline, train, boat and high-capacity truck. Subsequently, distributors are responsible for supplying individuals and points of sale or services by tank truck or gas cylinders.
Should We Fear a Propane Shortage?
As you have just read, there is no need to fear a propane shortage. However, certain specific and exceptional situations may cause a delay in the delivery of gas in Eastern Canada. This is what happened in November 2019 when the Canadian National Rail Company (CN) workers went on strike because of a labour dispute, and in the spring of 2020 with the rail blockades.
Do you have any questions about propane gas? Do not hesitate to contact Propane Levac inc., their team will be happy to answer them.
Source: Government of Canada