Peter Thompson
Head of Trading, Oil, LPG and Green Fuels (London)
LPG trading incorporates lots of different markets and prevents you having to specialise in one particular commodity.
Could you outline the biggest developments within the LPG markets currently?
Infrastructural developments across the globe represent one of the key factors driving the growth of the LPG market. The rising environmental consciousness regarding the benefits of using LPG as an effective alternative to fossil fuel, is creating a positive outlook for the market with significant growth in the automotive industry. LPG is widely used as an auto gas and is a clean and effective source of energy that has lower levels of carbon emissions; stored in pressurised cylindrical containers for use in heating, cooking, agriculture, hospitality, construction and sailing applications.
Favourable improvements have also been seen in the extraction and refining technologies for natural gases. Government initiatives to promote the usage of LPG in place of coal, wood and kerosene for household cooking together with rapid urbanisation, especially in developing economies, are factors helping to build a promising future for the market.
What made you specialise in LPG above other commodities?
LPG trading incorporates lots of different markets and prevents you having to specialise in one particular commodity. Trading involves LPG/NGLS, naphtha, gasoline and crude oil which keeps the business engaging and interesting. From shipping to futures, it’s very challenging keeping up to date with so many different products and markets. LPG is truly global and diverse.