3-kg CNG cylinder trial enters final phase, targeted for July
The government is testing 200-250 bar cylinders in Indonesia and China to curb LPG imports, which still total 7.47 million MT a year.
Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources Bahlil Lahadalia is targeting completion of trials for 3-kilogram Compressed Natural Gas cylinders in July or August 2026, after the project entered its third phase. The government is preparing small CNG cylinders as an alternative to 3-kg LPG for households, following earlier use of CNG in commercial sectors such as hotels, restaurants, cafes, and kitchens in the Free Nutritious Meals program. The main challenge is technical, because CNG pressure reaches 200-250 bar, far above LPG at around 5-10 bar. Trials are being carried out in Indonesia and China. Bahlil said mass adoption will only be promoted after testing is complete. The government is pursuing the option to reduce import dependence, as national LPG consumption exceeds 8.5 million MT per year while domestic production is only 1.91 million MT.