OGRA warns CNG stations of fake cylinders
By Tariq Chaudhry

ISLAMABAD—The Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority has warned the Compressed Natural Gas station owners and users to only use specified cylinders andstrictly adhere to the laid out procedures to ensure safety of the people and installations.
Responding to numerous complaints by the publicand incidents involving unapproved CNG gas kits and cylinders, OGRA has directed the filling stations owners to ensure that gas is filled in vehicles with approved brand of cylinders and have been tested within the last five years. More than 1,100 CNG stations operate all over the country and around 1.1 million vehicles now use dual fuel.
It has specifically warned not to provide gas tovehicles that have these cylinders installed on the roof. Many pick-up vans, used for carriage and even school vans have installed such cylinders.
A notice appearing in national dailies on Thursday warned the stations not to fill storage cylinders beyond the allowable filling pressure of 200 bars forvehicles and 248 bars for their own CNG storage cylinders.
“CNG stations found violating will immediately be disconnected gas supply,” besides action under the rules, the notice warned. The OGRA took note of the installation of illuminating lights in the compressor and storage cylinder room and warned owners not to do so for public safety.
Responding to reports where a locally fabricated welded cylinder exploded in Gujranwala on June 2, causing loss of life and property, the OGRA directed the dealers to use “brand new seamless” cylinders.
The people have also been directed to get cylinder test certificate from the licensee after conversion of their vehicles and to have their kits and piping inspected annually.
In the past, the OGRA directed closure of 77 CNG stations all over the country after they were found using unspecified cylinders and were the main cause for gas explosions resulting in loss of lives. It has asked the stations not to install storage cylinders with ISO 9809-2 specification.
The OGRA has listed the following approved kits and cylinders; Landi Renzo Italy/Brazil, Impco USA, Tartarini Italy, Salusatri Argentina, Landi Auto Gas Italy, Oyrsa Argentina, Lovato Italy, ConverTech USA & Argentina, Lo Gas srl Italy, Sprint Gas Kit Argentina, Emme Gas Italy, Tomasetto Achille Argentina, Blue Runner Italy, Tomasetto Lovato Model TL02 Argentina, Bedini Italy, Hoffman TLD model 119 Argentina, BRC Italy, GN group Argentina, Zavoli Italy, Gas Petro Argentina model Madness Millennium, OMVL Italy, Visa GNC Bvard Argentina Model 0001, Bi Gas Italy, Palmeg Argentina, Auto Gas srl Model MT 132 Italy, Zoni model No. XVVIII China, Voltra CNG Kit Turkey and Shahab Auto gas Iran.