What is the difference between LPG and NGL?

1. From a BCS measurement standard point of view (considering the basic thermodynamical properties of temperature, density, pressure / vapor pressure) , LPG and NGL (high vapor pressure) are identical, covered by the same group of supported BCS measurement standards*.
   Thus, either a BCG or a BCP license** is required for quantity conversions of LPG and NGL, but not both.
2. From a business point of view, taking into account the LPG or NGL financial value, there are considerable differences:

• In a nutshell, LPG are – in many countries –  defined  by using a chemical composition analysis. In detail, LPG are a mixture of propane / butane (and low fractions of propylene and/or butene), with LPG compositions ranging from 100 % propane to 100% butane and any ratios “in between”.
• NGL, on the other hand, may contain many more different chemical components – a complete list of the BCS supported NGL compositions can be found in the LPG ISO 6578 Chemical Components FAQ ; Thus, if your NGL is covered by this list of chemical components, either a BCG or BCP license will be required, but not both.
• If your NGL, on the other hand, is of a condensate type (i.e. with even higher carbon atom number components as defined in the LPG ISO 6578 Chemical Composition FAQ),  you may require both a BCG and a BCP license, since only the BCP license includes the relevant condensate measurement standards – and you may also require a BCG license for other products (e.g. for LNG quantity conversions).
• Finally, the origin of LPG and NGL – either from crude oil (petroleum) or natural gas wells is reflected in the naming, which may lead to additional confusion.
• Read the LPG and NGL Support FAQ for additional details.

* Example: API MPMS Chapter 11.2.4 is titled:

Temperature Correction for the Volume of NGL and LPG Tables 23E, 24E, 53E, 54E, 59E, and 60E

API Manual of Petroleum Measurement Standards Chapter 11, Section 2, Part 4

** Note: Support of RESOLUÇÃO ANP Nº 894 – 22 / C.N.P. Nº 6 – 70, Table I/II for LPG requires a BCP license, since this standard is only available as a converted printed table solution, which covers crude oil products and LPG via one technical implementation.

Categories: BCG & BCP Configuration FAQs | Pricing & Usage FAQs

Back to FAQs