Propane is:

• Clean burning, efficient, portable and economical, therefore it is one of nature's most versatile fuels.
• Suitable for household equipment and appliances, fueling automobiles and forklifts, and for use at farms and businesses.
• A by-product of crude oil and natural gas production; it is extracted from the refining of oil and natural gas as a colourless, odourless, non-toxic, heavier-than-air vapour. An "odourant" is added to allow for detection.
• One of several natural gas liquids (NGL). Other NGLs are ethane, butane, pentanes or a mixture of the latter.
• A liquefied petroleum gas, not a manufactured gas.
• Conveniently stored under moderate pressure in cylinders or tanks for portability.
• Transported by pipeline, rail car, or truck.

Canadian Production

Canada produces approximately 8 billion litres of propane each year:

• About 80% is from natural gas wells in western Canada.
• The balance is from oil refineries throughout the country.
• Canada’s production accounts for approximately 10% of the world's supply.
• Roughly 40% of the propane produced in Canada is for domestic consumption.
• About 60% is exported, primarily to the United States.

Propane Properties

• Propane is a colorless, odourless gas to which an odour has been added to help you detect a leak.
• Liquid propane boils (vapourizes from liquid to vapour) at -44F (-42.2C).
• When the temperature of propane in a container rises, the vapour pressure also rises. Propane expands 1.5% for every 10 degree Fahrenheit increase in temperature.
• Propane is stored under moderate pressure. When the pressure is released, the liquid converts to a flammable gas at a ratio of 1:270.
• Propane gas (vapour) is 1.5 times the weight of air, and will settle in low areas.
• As a liquid, propane is half the weight of water.
• About 23.5 cubic feet of air is required to burn one cubic foot of propane.
• Complete combustion of propane produces water vapour and carbon dioxide, two elements that are found naturally in the environment.