What is the difference between LPG and NGL?
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 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.
From a business point of view, considering the financial values, 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 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 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. if you deal with 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.
* 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
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