The Hidden Role of LPG, PNG, and CNG in Everyday Life

26 Mar 2026|

1 min read |

by ICICI Securities Team

Did you know that your day likely begins and ends with products derived from crude oil and natural gas?

From the mattress you sleep on to the toothpaste you use and the device you are reading this on, fossil fuels play a far deeper role than most people realise.

Crude oil and natural gas are not limited to fuel for transportation or cooking. They form the foundation of modern living and are used in more than 6,000 everyday products. If something is not made of metal, wood, or stone, there is a strong chance it originated from fossil fuels.

Everyday Products That Come From Oil and Gas

Many commonly used items are directly or indirectly linked to petrochemicals. Some examples include

Most synthetic vanilla flavouring used in mass-produced ice cream is derived from petrochemicals

Clothes made from polyester, nylon, or spandex are created using oil-based materials

Natural gas is a key ingredient in nitrogen fertilisers, which support nearly half of the global population

The key ingredient in aspirin, benzene, is derived from crude oil

Smartphones and laptops use plastics and circuit board materials made from refined crude

The base of chewing gum is often made from petroleum-based polymers

These examples highlight how deeply oil and gas are embedded in daily life.

Comparison of LPG, PNG, and CNG

Although all three originate from fossil fuels, their applications, storage, and usage differ significantly.

Feature	LPG (Liquefied Petroleum Gas)	PNG (Piped Natural Gas)	CNG (Compressed Natural Gas)
Source	Crude oil refining and natural gas processing	Natural gas wells	Natural gas wells
Main component	Propane and Butane	Methane	Methane
State and storage	Liquid stored in cylinders under moderate pressure	Gas supplied through low-pressure pipelines	Gas stored in cylinders at high pressure
Safety in case of leakage	Heavier than air and settles on the ground	Lighter than air and disperses quickly	Lighter than air and disperses quickly
Primary use	Household cooking and heating	Household cooking and industrial heating	Transport such as cars, buses, and autos
Convenience	Requires booking and cylinder replacement	Continuous supply through pipelines	Requires refilling at stations

The Science Behind LNG Storage

Liquefied Natural Gas requires extremely low temperatures to remain in liquid form.

Even in Antarctica at minus 80 degrees Celsius, natural gas would remain in gaseous form. To convert it into liquid, it must be cooled to minus 162 degrees Celsius.

At this temperature, natural gas becomes 600 times smaller in volume, making it suitable for transportation. LNG tankers therefore carry fuel at temperatures significantly lower than the coldest natural environments on Earth.