The order is the result of an international tender issued by PDVSA Services BV, the international procurement office and subsidiary of the state-owned Venezuelan petroleum company Petróleos de Venezuela SA (PDVSA).
The composite cylinders will be used by PDVSA Gas Comunal and shipped out to the country's households through its existing LPG distribution network . "We are delighted to continue to supply our products to PDVSA and the Venezuelan people, and it is our hope to further strengthen the business relations between our companies in the future," says Hans Henrik Larsen, Global Sales Director of Ragasco AS, Norway.
"We regard Venezuela and the South American region as an important area for the future development of Ragasco," he adds.
This order represents the continuing commitment of PDVSA to the ongoing modernisation programme of the Venezuelan LPG industry in providing modern, practical and safe cylinders for the Venezuelan public. As a part of the programme Ragasco has already delivered a total of 900 000 LPG cylinders to PDVSA. Ragasco's composite LPG cylinders have a number of advantages over traditional steel cylinders. Composite cylinders do not rust in humid environments and they weigh 50% less than steel cylinders, making them easier to lift and carry. Earlier this year, Ragasco AS revamped its factory in Raufoss, Norway, to increase production efficiency and capacity. The factory now has the capacity to produce up to 2 million cylinders a year. Ragasco AS, a subsidiary of Norwegian group Hexagon Composites, develops and manufactures composite pressure containers for storage and transportation of propane gas (LPG) and compressed natural gas (CNG).
