Oil & Gas

Around 2.1 billion people worldwide still depend on polluting fuels for cooking, leading to severe health consequences and contributing to approximately 3.2 million deaths annually. This alarming figure underscores the urgency of expanding access to clean cooking solutions. In this context, OPEC Secretary General HE Haitham Al Ghais has emphasized the critical role of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in addressing this global issue. He asserts that scalable and sustainable clean fuel alternatives like LPG can dramatically improve health outcomes and are essential to achieving universal access to clean energy by 2030.

LPG is a widely available and efficient clean cooking fuel that meets the World Health Organization’s guidelines for particulate matter and carbon monoxide emissions. It stands alongside solar power, biogas, and natural gas as viable clean cooking options. However, LPG is often the most practical and scalable solution, especially in regions lacking access to electricity or infrastructure for other technologies. Increasing the availability of LPG stoves and cylinders has already proven effective in expanding clean cooking access, playing a vital role in advancing Sustainable Development Goal 7.

Beyond health benefits, LPG also has significant environmental advantages. It produces roughly half the greenhouse gas emissions compared to traditional biomass-based cooking methods. Moreover, LPG is a byproduct of both natural gas extraction and oil refining, making it a reliable and widely produced energy source. Approximately 60% of LPG is sourced directly from oil and gas fields, while the remaining 40% is produced during refining processes such as distillation, reforming, and cracking. This integration within the existing oil and gas production infrastructure makes it a strategic fuel in the clean energy transition.

OPEC has actively supported the global clean cooking agenda through contributions to G20 initiatives and internal programs like the Oil Sustainability Program and the Clean Cooking Roadmap. However, meeting future LPG demand—projected to rise by 1.4 million barrels per day by 2050—requires continued investment and stability in the oil and gas sector. OPEC’s World Oil Outlook 2025 estimates that $18.2 trillion in cumulative investments will be needed by 2050 to ensure energy security and reduce energy poverty. As HE Al Ghais concludes, LPG can be lifesaving, and with the right commitment, the world can achieve universal access to clean cooking fuels by 2030.