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.

Gas supply will remain suspended for 8 hours — from 2 pm to 10 pm — today (March 22, 2023) for all consumers in several Dhaka areas due to emergency work of pipelines. The areas include Minto Road, Eskaton, Pirbagh, Habibullah Road, Karwan Bazar, Old Elephant Road and areas adjacent to PG Hospital, Paribagh BPDB quarters, Birdem Hospital, Dhaka Club, Holy Family Hospital, Dhaka University and Buet, Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited said. Also Read: Unique's 585 MW Meghnaghat power plant to be ready by Oct, but questions hang over gas supply In another notice, Titas said that gas supply will remain off on both sides of the Saoghat- Araihazar road in Narayanganj from 8 am to 5 pm for emergency pipe tie-in work today. Regretting for the temporary inconveniences, Titas Gas authorities said the consumers in adjacent areas may experience low pressure in gas supply. Read More: Gas explosion at residential, commercial buildings: Common causes and ways to prevent them 

In recent years, reports of gas explosions in Dhaka city and other places in Bangladesh are worryingly becoming more frequent. Whether it’s a residential building, market, warehouse, or business center, there is a looming threat of gas explosion. Several factors may trigger a gas blast and cause fatal damage to human lives and properties. Let’s take a look at what causes gas explosions and how to minimize the risks. Common Causes of Gas Explosions in Residential Buildings A residential building and flats in it face major risk when required safety measures against gas explosions are not taken. There have been many incidents of gas explosions in residential units simply due to carelessness and lack of proper measures. Here are some possible reasons for gas explosions in residential units. Gas Leaks One of the prime causes of gas explosions in residential buildings is gas leak. Apartments or houses use gas cylinders or direct gas lines. If there is a leak in the line or the cylinder, it might potentially cause explosions if the home unit doesn’t have good ventilation. Read More: Fire Safety in Apartments: Causes and Prevention Faulty Gas Appliances Gas appliances like cookers, stoves, ovens, or heaters can malfunction and cause gas leakage. If the gas stove or cooker is not properly connected to the gas line, it may leak gas and lead to explosions. In many residential buildings and apartments, people tend to use expired gas cylinders which may cause gas explosions. Poorly Maintained Gas Equipment The gas line and the cylinder can also be the source of gas explosion. For example, if the main supply line or the cylinder gets corroded, it might end up leaking gas at different spots. Such leakages may culminate into explosions in contact with fire or sparks. Air conditioners and refrigerators are equipped with non-supply gas storage or operated systems. Without proper maintenance, these appliances may deteriorate over time and cause fatal consequences. Improper Installation Gas units should always be installed under the supervision of a trained professional. Improper installation may lead to gas leaks. It’s better to avoid DIY procedures to avoid gas leaks and subsequent explosions. Read More: Workplace Fire Safety: 12 Effective Ways to Prevent Fire Hazards Faulty Connections  In many cases, gas leaks in residential buildings and apartments are caused by faulty connections in the gas pipeline. When the gas, trapped in a closed room or space, comes in contact with flame or spark, it can cause an explosion. Natural Disasters Natural disasters can also be possible causes of gas explosions. In the event of a natural disaster like cyclone, earthquake, or flood, gas lines or cylinders can leak which might lead to explosions. 

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said that the government has initiated a move to expedite the gas exploration and production activities in the country to increase the primary fuel supply. “All the planning is being undertaken targeting to build a developed Bangladesh by 2041”, he told a seminar on energy security at the Bangladesh Business Summit 2023 at the Bangabandhu International Conference Centre (BICC) in the city on Sunday. He said the country has already achieved a target to reach electricity to all the doorsteps. “Now we have one hundred percent access to electricity”, he said adding that the government is now working to ensure an uninterrupted power supply.   Abul Kalam Azad, former principal secretary to the Prime Minister, made a keynote presentation on the present state of energy security, future initiatives and the challenges of renewable energy at the seminar. Power secretary Habibur Rahman, president of International Chamber of Commerce Bangladesh Mahbubur Rahman, Summit Group chairman Mahbubur Rahman, GE Gas Power South chief executive officer Asia Deepesh Nanda, and Max Group chairman Golam Mohammad Alamgir also spoke on the occasion while eminent energy expert Prof Ijaz Hosain moderated the event.  Nasrul Hamid said that the development activities of Bangladesh should be taken considering the context of Bangladesh. Electrification in remote areas has expanded area-based development. As a result, he said, a balanced development is ensured. He also discussed natural gas, LNG, LPG, future electricity and energy planning, mineral coal, fuel mix, clean energy, energy conservation, and versatile sources of energy at the seminar.

Gas supply will remain suspended for 8 hours from 2 pm to 10 pm on Thursday (March 02, 2023) for all kinds of consumers in different areas in the capital due to emergency tie-up works of pipelines. The areas include Mintoo Road, Eskaton, Pirbagh, Habibullah Road, Karwan Bazar, Old Elephant Road and areas adjacent to PG Hospital, Birdem Hospital, Dhaka Club, Holy Family Hospital, Dhaka University and Buet, said the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited. Also Read: GE offers high efficiency gas turbine tech to ease nagging energy crisis Regretting for the temporary inconveniences the Titas Gas authorities said the consumers  in other adjacent areas may experience low pressure in gas supply.

Gas supply will remain suspended at Muslim Mor of Bhairab Bazar to Kuliarchar area in Kishoreganj district for 9 hours from 8 am to 5 pm on Tuesday (Feb 28) due to emergency tie-up works for all kinds of consumers, said the TItas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited. During the period, the consumers at the adjacent areas may experience low pressure in gas supply as well, Titas Gas said, regretting the temporary inconveniences of its customers.

Four people sustained burn injuries as a fire broke out in a house apparently due to leakage in the gas pipeline at Behakoir in Sonargaon upazila of Narayanganj district on Tuesday. The injured were identified as Sajeeb, 27, Mamun Mia, 32, Rubel, 30 and Zakaria, 34. Mahbub Alam, officer-in-charge of Sonargaon Police Station, said the fire broke out in the house of one Baker when one of the victims tried lit cigarette at the kitchen of the house, leaving them injured. First they were taken to Sonargaon Upazila Health Complex and then shifted to the burn unit of Dhaka Medical College and Hospital. The fire might have originated from the gas accumulated in the kitchen of the house, said police.

At least 82 people died in gas explosion-related fires in Narayanganj over the last three years, according to police and fire service. This excludes the number of victims of such fire incidents who died while receiving treatment. Although gas pipeline leaks and cylinder explosions are the leading causes of these recorded fires, threats still persist. A blast in Pashchim Talla Baitus Salam Mosque of Narayanganj killed 37 on September 4, 2020. There have also been accusations of irregularities in the investigation process, and the accused in the majority of cases remain uncharged due to the slow process of investigation. Also read: Fire in Ctg’s Andarkilla area leaves one dead According to police and fire service, there were 104 gas explosion-related fire incidents in Narayanganj district in 2022. Sixty-nine of them were caused by flaws in the gas pipeline, 34 incidents were reportedly caused by cylinder and air conditioner blasts. A total of 18 people, including children, died and 25 were injured in those incidents. There were 114 gas explosion-related fire incidents in 2021. Pipeline flaws were responsible for 96 incidents. That year, 20 people were killed and more than 50 were injured. A total of 44 people died and 26 were injured in 106 gas explosion-related fire incidents in 2020. Seventy-one incidents were caused by gas line faults, while the rest were caused by cylinder and air conditioner blasts. That year, 37 people died in a massive explosion at the Pashchim Talla Baitus Salam Mosque. Also read: Death toll from Gulshan fire rises to two Locals of the district say that the authorities show concern for a few days following an incident. But their efforts to address these threats got nipped in the bud every time, they said. Locals reportedly file complaints about gas leaks, but no significant action is taken to address this serious issue. Fire Service and Civil Defence officials said that the negligence of Titas gas authorities and lack of awareness among locals are to blame for many incidents. Read More: Fire breaks out in Ctg’s VIP Tower Fakhruddin, deputy director of Narayanganj Fire Service, said, “We urge residents to stay cautious and inspect their gas pipelines for leaks.” Mamunur Rashid, deputy general manager of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited in Narayanganj, said, “Gas pipelines inside the homes are the responsibility of the consumers. All we do is distribute the lines.” “The majority of fire incidents are caused by faults in house lines. Gas leaks cause explosions when burners are left on,” he added. Read More: Fire Service team going to Turkey to be part of rescue effort “Customers need to be cautious and should never leave gas stoves on,” he said. Chai Lau Marma, additional superintendent of police (Crime and Operations) in Narayanganj, said, “We file cases in response to complaints. After investigating, we put the names on the chargesheet and file in court.” Narayanganj residents urged the government to take measures to address these fire risks promptly. Read More: 6 charred bodies retrieved from Old Dhaka plastic factory: Fire Service

Eight people were injured in blast apparently from leakage in a gas pipeline at Balirhat in Chattogram port city early Thursday. Bahar Uddin, senior station officer of Kalurghat Fire Station, said the explosion occurred in a semi-pacca building in the area near the residence of one Makbul Haji around 3 am, leaving eight people injured. A portion of a wall was blown away during the explosion. On information, a firefighting unit rushed to the spot and rescued the injured victims. Later, they were taken toa local hospital and given first aid.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today said consumers should pay the actual costs to avail gas and electricity supply. “Gas and electricity supply can be provided if all agree to pay the purchasing costs. How much subsidy can be given? And why should we continue to give subsidies?” — she said, adding that the government is providing subsidies to agriculture and food production for the greater interest of the nation. The PM said this while opening the newly constructed ‘Biniyog Bhaban’ (Investment Building) of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) in Dhaka’s Agargaon area. Read more: PM likely to attend G20 Summit in New Delhi September The Investment Building would be used as the offices of three agencies: BIDA, Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA), and National Skills Development Authority (NSDA). Sheikh Hasina said the production cost of per kilowatt electricity is Tk 12, but its price is only Tk 6. Despite this, the government is criticized for electricity tariff, she said. In the UK, electricity price has been increased by 150 percent. “We have not reached that stage (such a bad situation) yet,” she said. Read more: ‘We keep our promises one by one’: PM Hasina says at launch of underground metro construction work The PM asked the countrymen to make investments in a larger way in the food and agro-processing industries, particularly in the 100 economic zones, which are now being developed throughout the country. She said there is high demand for food in the world due to the fallout of Covid-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. Food prices have soared significantly, she said. PM’s Private Industry and Investment Adviser Salman Fazlur Rahman presided over the opening event, while PM’s Principal Secretary M. Tofazzel Hossain Miah was present. BIDA Executive Chairman Lokman Hossain Miah delivered the welcome speech.