Jakarta (ANTARA) – The Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Ministry is nearing the completion of technical trials for 3-kilogram Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) cylinders, a domestic energy initiative designed to serve as an alternative to subsidized 3-kg Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).ESDM Minister Bahlil Lahadalia confirmed that the Oil and Gas Testing Center (Lemigas) is currently carrying out the final phase of safety testing on the newly designed cylinders and valves.”I received a presentation three days ago on the performance of the 3-kg cylinder and its valve. Lemigas is now conducting the final tests,” Bahlil told reporters in Jakarta on Monday.As part of the final validation process, the canisters will undergo high-temperature firing tests at 850 degrees Celsius, conducted concurrently in Indonesia and China.Minister Bahlil expressed optimism that the government could officially introduce the 3-kg CNG alternative to the public within the month.While CNG technology is already utilized across commercial sectors—including hotels, restaurants, cafes, and state nutrition initiatives—its distribution has traditionally been restricted to heavy-duty cylinders ranging from 10 to 20 kilograms.Adapting the fuel for standard household use presents significant engineering hurdles due to pressure requirements. CNG operates at roughly 200 to 250 bar, compared to standard LPG operating pressure of 5 to 10 bar.Despite technical complexities, the ESDM Ministry is prioritizing CNG development to reduce national reliance on imported LPG.Unlike LPG, CNG raw materials are fully available from domestic natural gas reserves, reinforced by recent natural gas discoveries in East Kalimantan allocated for domestic energy needs.