Eastern Petroleum to open 500 LPG outlets

MANILA, Philippines - Independent oil firm Eastern Petroleum is eyeing to open 500 retail outlets this year for its liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) brand EC Gas, which it launched last year, its top official said in a briefing yesterday.

“We are targeting 500 this year and another 500 next year,” said Eastern Petroleum president Fernando Martinez.

He said in four years, the company is confident it can open 5,000 outlets given the positive reception of the consumer market in the brand.

Of the 500 outlets, which Eastern Petroleum is targeting to open by the end of the year, 80 percent will be in Luzon.

Against this backdrop, the company is also targeting to increase the number of its refilling plants to five next year, from three this year.

The oil company launched its LPG cylinder dubbed as EC Gas, an explosion proof cylinder made from composite materials which is up to 10 kilograms lighter compared to the average weight of LPG made from steel. The product has ben awarded as the most innovative product at the Entrepreneur and Franchise Expo 2014 held at the SM Megamall last month, Martinez said.

The most important feature of the cylinder, supplied by Norway-based Hexagon Ragasco AS, is that it is explosion proof even if set on fire. Ragasco is a leading producer of composite pressure containers.

“People are now positive with the benefits of safety and savings as proven by a number of positive testimonials from satisfied EC Gas LPG household and restaurant users. Some restaurant owners claim that they save up to 30 percent to 40 percent using EC Gas,” Martinez said.

During the launch last month, EC Gas officials said unlike ordinary LPG steel tanks that may explode when exposed to flames, the EC Gas LPG cylinder has non-explosive qualities, even with the presence of open flames, thus making it a significantly safer alternative for Filipino homes.