A malfunction at a floating LNG terminal in the country has decreased gas supply to the national grid by approximately 450 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd), representing a reduction of nearly 17%, exacerbating the existing gas shortage nationwide. Prior to the issue, data from Petrobangla indicated that total gas supply stood at around 2,620 mmcfd, falling short of the demand of nearly 3,800 mmcfd.
The affected floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) situated in Moheshkhali within the Cox’s Bazar District has been shut down, leading to a decrease in supply to 2,170 mmcfd. This disruption has impacted various industries, power plants, and CNG filling stations in different regions of the country. In areas like Dhaka and its vicinity, inadequate gas pressure at CNG stations has resulted in lengthy queues and public inconvenience.
Authorities have stated that relevant agencies and technical experts are actively working to address the FSRU issue, although no timeline has been provided for the terminal’s return to normal operation. During a briefing at the Secretariat, Monir Hossain Chowdhury, a joint secretary of the Energy Division, clarified that the gas supply disruption was directly related to the FSRU malfunction, not the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. He dismissed claims of a fuel supply crisis and attributed them to misinformation being circulated.
The country presently holds approximately 344,000 tonnes of diesel in inventory, with an additional 180,000 tonnes expected to arrive by July 31, ensuring a stockpile sufficient to meet national demand for about 48 days. Furthermore, another 240,000 tonnes of diesel are slated for arrival in August, according to the joint secretary. Bangladesh’s reliance on the Middle East for fuel imports is minimal, primarily centered on crude oil imports. Alternative routes have been identified for fuel transportation, mitigating the immediate threat of a fuel supply crisis.
