CHATTOGRAM, JAN 15: Chattogram is facing a worsening gas crisis as the country's daily gas production continues to decline alarmingly.
According to Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL), nearly 300 million cubic feet (cft) of gas is being supplied daily against a demand of over 400 million cft. This shortfall has left consumers struggling with inadequate gas supply, sources said.
Low pressure in the gas pipelines has made it impossible to deliver the required amount of gas to some areas of the port city, KGDCL added. Many households woke up to find no gas in the pipelines, preventing them from preparing breakfast. Consumers relying on liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) have also been affected, with some shortages exacerbated by artificial supply crises created by dealers and suppliers.
Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited (RPGCL) reported that LNG production in two floating plants has dropped to 900 million cft daily from 1,100 million cft. Two floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) developed for Petrobangla and Summit Group at Moheshkhali Island in the Bay of Bengal are capable of producing 1,000 million cft daily, with each unit having a capacity of 500 million cft.
KGDCL sources said Chattogram requires 100 million cft for private industries including all EPZs and EZs, 100 million cft for CUFL and KAFCO, 100 million cft for four power plants, and 50 million cft for domestic consumption.
The country has two LNG import terminals commissioned in 2018. Excelerate Energy provided the FSRUs for the projects developed for Petrobangla and Summit Group at Moheshkhali Island.
Experts note that gas shortages in power plants, fertiliser factories, and industries began during the now-ousted Awami League government's tenure. The administration had relied heavily on imports rather than investing in domestic energy exploration-a strategy that, coupled with chronic budget deficits, led to repeated fuel price hikes.
These past decisions are raising growing concerns today, as escalating international geopolitical tensions further strain Bangladesh's energy security. Large sums of state revenue are being diverted to fuel purchases, while global supply chain disruptions continue to affect the country. An LPG shortage has already emerged, and any disruption in LNG supply could put the broader economy at serious risk.
