Tension on gas after Iran war, why there was a stir from LPG to CNG-PNG, know how much it will affect your kitchen and pocket.

LPG Vs CNG Vs PNG Vs LNG: After the war with Iran and increasing tension in the Gulf region, the discussion regarding LPG, CNG, PNG and LNG has intensified in India. There have been reports of LPG shortage from many places. The situation has become so bad that many hotels and small restaurants in some cities are on the verge of closure due to lack of gas.

Its impact is not only on domestic kitchens but also on industries. Due to shortage of LNG, many factories are having to reduce production or close down. Therefore, it is important to understand what LPG, CNG, PNG and LNG are and what is their difference.

What are the four gases and why are they important?

LPG, CNG, PNG, and LNG are all hydrocarbon gases and are used extensively as energy and fuel. It is difficult to imagine everyday life without them. However, these gases exist in different forms and are used in different ways. An important thing to note is that LPG is made by refining crude oil, whereas CNG and PNG are mostly based on LNG.

LPG i.e. LPG: The most common kitchen gas

LPG means Liquefied Petroleum Gas. It is a mixture of propane and butane which is liquefied at high pressure and then filled in the cylinder. This gas is used for cooking in most Indian homes. By March 2026, there will be approximately 33 crore active LPG consumers in the country, including 10.4 crore beneficiaries of the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana. An average of 55 lakh cylinders are refilled every day in the country. While in 2014 there were 14.5 crore consumers, now this number has reached 33 crore.

CNG i.e. CNG: clean fuel for vehicles

CNG means Compressed Natural Gas. It is mainly methane gas which is compressed under very high pressure. This gas is mainly used as fuel for vehicles because it is considered cleaner and less polluting than petrol and diesel.

PNG means PNG: Gas reaching the house through pipe.

PNG is called piped natural gas. This is also methane gas, but it is directly transported through pipelines to homes and industries. By March 2026, about 15 million households in India had PNG connections. The government aims to increase this to 125 million households by 2032. However, its network is still limited to big cities.

LNG: Imported Gas

LNG, or Liquefied Natural Gas, is created when natural gas is cooled to -162°C. Due to this the gas gets liquefied and its volume reduces by about 600 times. In this form, it is easy to transport it over long distances by ship. LNG is imported into India and later converted into gas for use as CNG and PNG.

Why has the fear of gas crisis increased?

Recent geopolitical tensions have impacted global gas supply. India imports about 50% of its gas needs, and about 40% of its LNG comes from Qatar. Due to this, the prices of LNG are increasing, which may also affect the supply of CNG and PNG. However, the government has said that it will give priority to gas allocation for domestic consumers.

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Where does gas come from in India?

India consumes about 191 million standard cubic meters of gas daily, of which about half is met through imports. About 60% of LPG is imported from the Middle East, while the rest comes from India’s oil fields, such as the Krishna-Godavari Basin, Mumbai High, Assam and Rajasthan. A large part of the LNG is shipped to India from Qatar, United States, Russia, Australia and Nigeria.