PetroVietnam to import CNG to fuel green buses

On August 26, Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) put 21 green buses in operation in Ho Chi Minh City. Now the state-run company is preparing to import compressed natural gas (CNG) to fuel the buses. CNG is energy–efficient fuel that is 20% cheaper than regular fuels. It allows for savings of 50%-60% of fuel costs and reduces hydrocarbon emissions by 35%. Oxide emissions are reduced by 62% and carbon dioxide by 9%. Only PV Gas, an affiliate of PetroVietnam, currently supplies CNG to the local market through two units of CNG Vietnam and PV Gas South. CNG Vietnam is now operating the first phase of a CNG plant which has a capacity of 30 million cubic meters (cbm) per year. The company is now preparing to raise its capacity to 250 million cbm per year. PV Gas South on the other hand, is involved in a 10 million-cbm-per year CNG plant at the My Xuan A Industrial Park, located in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau. (September 8, 2011)