Oryx Energies begins LPG distribution in Guinea

LPG Cylinders

Oryx Energies is pleased to announce the launch of Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) distribution services for consumers and industries in Guinea (Conakry), marking its first activities in the country.

“We have been promoting LPG as a cleaner, more affordable and ecological energy alternative in sub-Saharan Africa for over 15 years,” said AOG Chairman, Jean Claude Gandur, who is promoting Oryx Energies’ ambitious expansion plans in the region. “Guinea has strong potential for economic growth, but until now has lacked access to LPG as a domestic fuel and as an energy source for commercial and industrial customers”, he added.

Oryx Energies aims to leverage its expertise in LPG sourcing, storage and distribution to offer quality LPG products and a reliable service in Guinea. It opened an office in the capital, Conakry, in May 2012 and has since constructed a 225 m3 LPG filling plant, ideally located on the industrial outskirts of the city. It plans to rapidly expand its sales operations, in order to meet the needs in both urban and rural areas across the country.

Operations will benefit from Oryx Energies’ integrated downstream model that manages the value chain from product sourcing (through its trading arm) to wholesale and retail distribution, together with tailored services including on-site bulk LPG equipment and management for large industrial firms. Oryx Energies sells over 100,000 metric tons of LPG per year, runs a network of cylinder filling plants, supplies over 1,000 LPG retail outlets and manages over 3 million LPG cylinders in sub-Saharan Africa.

LPG is extracted from crude oil during refining operations or from natural gas processing, and is recognised as an efficient, clean and safe source of energy. It has relatively low CO2 emissions compared to petrol or diesel oil; is usable in hundreds of domestic and commercial applications; and can be easily stored, transported and distributed even in remote areas. This explains why it is used by hundreds of millions of people around the world today.

The launch of activities in Guinea is part of Oryx Energies’ strategy of expanding access to LPG across sub-Saharan Africa, as well as expanding its extensive downstream platform. After purchasing Engen Uganda in November 2012, with its network of service stations, Oryx Energies completed in early August 2013 the acquisition of BP’s LPG activities in South Africa.

The moves reflect its commitment to serve the energy needs of one of the world’s fastest growing regions.