Aygaz CEO Highlights Role of Surging US LPG in Global Energy Resilience

ISTANBUL, Turkey — The surge in U.S. shale gas production will inject 50 million metric tons of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) into the market over the next three years, driving down prices relative to gasoline and diesel and solidifying the fuel’s role in the global energy transition, according to Melih Poyraz, CEO of Turkish LPG distributor Aygaz.

Speaking at WLGA’s Liquid Gas Week in Istanbul, Poyraz highlighted that with U.S. domestic demand unable to absorb the increase in supply, excess volumes will be exported, which will widen the price differential to other road fuels and improve LPG’s affordability.

“This creates a unique opportunity in autogas and also in other applications like power generation,” Poyraz said, noting that switching to LPG in areas such as AI data centers–where diesel is used in some countries–could significantly cut emissions.

Poyraz emphasized that resilient energy systems must avoid relying on a single source or grid, citing recent severe disruptions like the 2025 blackout in Spain and the 2023 earthquake in southern Turkey. He said compact, portable energy sources like LPG are crucial for maintaining flow during emergencies when traditional infrastructure fails.

In addition to supply growth, Poyraz pointed to the pressing clean energy access gap, noting that 2 billion people worldwide still burn charcoal and polluting fuels, leading to 2.5 million child deaths annually.

With 5.3 million LPG vehicles currently on the road, Turkey stands as the second-largest autogas market globally. Poyraz called on international stakeholders to collaborate ahead of COP31, held in Antalya in November, to shape a balanced and resilient future energy mix.

Liquid Gas Week was organized by the WLGA in Istanbul, Turkey, and held from Oct. 12 through Oct. 16.

Reporting by Karen Tang, ktang@opisnet.com; Editing by Rob Sheridan, rsheridan@opisnet.com