Do not let anyone tell you otherwise - unless without proper planning, strategic location, or following regulatory rules - starting a cooking gas refill plant business in Nigeria is profitable. However, it requires the right tools, machines, and equipment.
Before opening your gas plant, you must budget for these essentials because they determine the safety, efficiency, and smooth running of the business.
Luckily in this article, we will break down the major equipment you need and the estimated costs in Nigeria today - as this will help know what and what's is necessary, without getting overbill by some technicians for unnecessary stuffs.
1. Gas Storage Tanks
Gas tanks are the most important equipment in a refill plant. They come in different sizes such as 5MT, 10MT, 20MT, or 50MT depending on the scale of your business. And estimated cost can be around ₦7 million – ₦25 million (depending on size and brand).
Next one is......
2. Gas Dispensers / Filling Scales
You proberly see this attached to a Lpg gas skid or piped with the storage tank. These are used to accurately measure and refill gas into customer cylinders. A good dispenser prevents wastage, allowing customers get the right quantity. For the price of this, it normally go as high as ₦1.5 million – ₦3 million, even ₦5 million for foreign dispenser (kindly note, these figures are estimated)
3. Gas Compressors and Pumps
Gas compressors or pumps are needed to transfer LPG from bulk storage tanks into smaller cylinders. They are the backbone of the whole system. Think of it as the same way heart circulates blood to the whole body, the same a pump those with the flow of Lpg from the storage tank through the pipes to the dispenser. Aspect cost to go as high as ₦800,000 – ₦2.5 million.
4. Weighing Scales
Industrial weighing scales help to confirm the weight of cylinders after filling. Well the truth is, it need depends on the structure of the whole Lpg system. If you are going for a mini gas plant complete setup skid, with the dispenser you properly wouldn't need a Industrial weighing scales. Normally, this scale usually are proposed for standard gas plants. The estimated cost should be around ₦100,000 – ₦300,000. But here is the deal, price are not actually standalone. They are basically calculated together. But ideally, I will advise you to always ask for standalone pricing, lol.
5. Cylinder Cages and Storage Racks
Proberly a form of burglary protection, and may not be needed in a fenced location. These provide safe storage for empty and filled cylinders, preventing accidents and proper arrangement in your station - it also sometimes used as a boundary point, especially for younger ones sent to refill. For etimated cost, I don't know. It shouldn't be that expensive. Ask you local welder.
6. Fire Safety Equipment
Because you are dealing with flammable gas, you must invest in fire extinguishers, fire buckets, sand pits, and hydrants. Note, fire extinguisher comes in variety types - and for use for different purposes, different types of fire accidents. Please do you research thoroughly before purchasing. Or send me a WhatsApp message for more explanation. Depending on the purpose, location from storage tank to refilling point or exit point. Some fire safety equipment are more standard, so expect price to go as high as ₦50,000 – ₦150,000.
7. Pipeline & Fittings
These include pipes, hoses, valves, regulators, and meters that connect tanks, dispensers, and cylinders. This is kinda of tricky because a lot of things like length, structure, skeleton drawing - can even lead to extra expensive. But still at still, don't allow anyone overbill you.
8. Plant Shed and Protective Covering
A standard gas plant must have a well-structured shed or roof covering to protect the equipment and workers. For this, estimated cost should be around ₦100,000 – ₦250,000 (depending on design).
9. Office Setup and Accessories
Small office equipment like a cashier desk, chairs, tables, and computer for record-keeping. Here, if it is something you did consider - you can plan close to ₦200,000 for it.
10. Delivery Vehicle (Optional)
Some refill plants also provide home delivery service, so you may need a branded pickup truck or tricycle. If Nigeria economy would allow use, ₦2.5 million – ₦5 million should be enough - although you don't need something fancy.
Total Estimated Cost of Tools and Equipment
To set up a standard refill plant with the right machines and tools, you should budget around:
₦12 million – ₦35 million (depending on location, scale, and equipment brand).
Before I end on this note, let me make something clear....The cooking gas refill plant business in Nigeria is highly profitable, but success depends on having the right tools, machines, and equipment. Investing in quality equipment not only give you peace of mind, safety but also builds customer trust and long-term growth - and also helps you avoid unnecessary repairs.
If you are planning to start, prepare a detailed budget covering all equipment, installation, and safety requirements before launching. You can reach out to me for full pricing quotation @ 07063188954 on Whatsapp messenger.
Oh, before I go....I need to add that, you may also consider furniture, CCTV cameras, computer systems, and administrative tools as addition. Don't forget generator / power supply. Most plants use diesel or gas-powered generators for uninterrupted opera