Energy Division has expressed regrets for inconvenience of the consumers for gas crisis in Chattagram and elsewhere in the country due to suspension of the LNG supply from FSRU in Maheshkhali following a technical fault there. Uninterrupted gas supply by 2026 : Nasrul Hamid outlines energy plans In a press release the Energy and Mineral Resources Division said that due to technical fault at Maheshkhali LNG FSRU, gas supply to Chattagram and other areas of the country has been suspended  since early morning on Friday. Acute gas crisis hits Chattogram city residents hard This has led to a fall in the pressure of the gas supply and consumers have been experiencing gas crisis. The departments concerned are working to repair the fault in the FSRU with Energy and Mineral Resources Division, Petrobangla and other companies are supervising work round the clock. Feni gas fire: One succumbs to injuries at DMCH So, the Energy and Mineral Resources Division offered regrets for the inconvenience of the consumers, said the press release.

Bangladesh’s State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Nasrul Hamid, announced a commitment to ensuring uninterrupted gas supply to consumers by 2026. This statement came during a discussion with reporters on Tuesday (January 16, 2024) about the power and energy sector's advancements, potential, and obstacles. Having achieved the milestone of 100 percent electricity coverage, Hamid noted the government's focus is now on providing continuous power and gas supply by 2026. He highlighted that Bangladesh currently imports 20 percent of its gas, utilizing 80 percent from domestic sources, with no immediate plans to increase imports. Fashion Design Council of Bangladesh unveils  "Khadi- the future fabric show" at Khadi Fest 2024 The exploration of gas in deep sea areas could significantly bolster the energy division, Hamid mentioned. He acknowledged the existing challenges, particularly the ongoing gas shortage, attributing it to reliance on a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU). Hamid assured that the current gas crisis is temporary, partly due to reduced pressure during severe winters. Plans are underway to operationalize the FSRU soon, which is expected to add 400 mmcf of gas to the system. Additionally, another FSRU is set for renovation, with an aim to maintain uninterrupted gas supply starting next March. The minister revealed plans to incorporate two more FSRUs around 2026 and 2027 to meet the anticipated gas demand of 6,000 MMCF in 2027. Tobacco use declines despite industry efforts to jeopardize progress: WHO Hamid expressed optimism about domestic gas exploration, noting that most drilled wells have discovered gas. He emphasized the Bhola to Barishal gas pipeline as a top priority, with activities commencing this year. Gas from Bhola, currently supplied in CNG form, is expected to increase and be fully operational by mid-March next year. The Bibiyana gas field also holds promise, with the minister expressing confidence about significant gas findings there. The immediate goal is to drill around 46 wells by mid-2025, followed by an additional 100 wells. This exploration is projected to add 500 mmcf of gas from domestic sources between 2024 and 2025. Dhaka Elevated Expressway to be completed in 2024, says Obaidul Quader Hamid concluded with a hopeful note on the Bibiyana field, which potentially harbors about 1.6 tcf of gas, further enhancing the nation's energy security and self-reliance.

State-owned Petrobangla has moved to set up three more liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals in addition to the existing two currently being operated to regasify imported gas. The proposed three new LNG terminals will be set up in Payra, Moheshkhali and Matarbari whose total regasification capacity would be 2000-3000 MMcf/d, said Petrobangla Chairman Zanendra Nath Sarker. Sarker informed that of the three LNG terminals to be set up, two will be floating – known as floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), while one will be land-based terminal. Read More: Govt resumes importing LNG from int'l spot market According to official sources, all three LNG terminals will be set up on the basis of unsolicited offers received from local and foreign companies. Two floating storage and regasification units have been in operation since 2018, of which one was set up by Excelerate Energy of USA at Moheshkhali of Cox’s Bazar with 500 million cubic feet per day while another with the same capacity was set up by the Summit Group in the same area. Of the three terminals to be set up, Excelerate Energy has made an offer for the Payra site while Summit Group made an offer for Moheshkhali. Petrobangla has shortlisted 12 firms for the Matarbari site. Read More: Risky way of supplying gas in cylinders: Petrobangla body for strong safety rules Each of the FSRUs in Payra and Moheshkhali will have the capacity to regasify 500-1000 MMcf/d gas. “Negotiations are progressing fast… We have prepared the term sheet agreement for Payra and Moheshkhali terminals and sent those to the concerned ministry for approval,” the Petrobangla chairman said recently. For the Matarbarti land-based terminal, Petrobangla is waiting to receive a no-objection certificate from Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) which is the original owner of the land. Read More: No additional LNG supply from Qatar before 2025: Petrobangla “Once we receive the NOC, our team and consultant are ready to select the firm for the Matarbari terminal,” Sarker said, adding that there will be options to increase the capacity of Matarbari land-based terminal from its initial capacity. He, however, said that if the government gives approval for setting up the terminals now, it will take 3-5 years to get them installed and ready for operation. He also justified Petrobangla’s move to setting up the new LNG terminals, saying that the country’s demand for gas supply is growing rapidly and it will reach 6500 MMcf/d by 2030 from the current demand of 4,000 MMcf/d against a supply of 3,000 MMcf/d. Read More: Petrobangla starts drilling in Shahbazpur Gas Field If the moves are not undertaken, the country will experience more deficit in gas supply, the Petrobangla chairman said.