Bangladesh restores gas supply from damaged LNG terminal after nearly two-week disruption

Gas shortages in Chattogram have begun easing after a damaged boiler at a floating liquefied natural gas terminal in Maheshkhali resumed operations, officials said Thursday.

The terminal, operated by U.S.-based Excelerate Energy, had been disrupted since a July 21 fire, contributing to nearly two weeks of shortages.

Nasir Uddin, deputy general manager of Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited, said the boiler resumed operating Wednesday and supplied 115 million cubic feet of gas to the national grid by Thursday morning. Supply increased to 250 million cubic feet by afternoon.

Officials said gas pressure also improved at compressed natural gas filling stations, reducing vehicle lines.

One autorickshaw driver said he was finally able to buy Tk 500 (approximately $4.07) worth of gas after struggling to refuel for two weeks. About 200 million cubic feet is currently being supplied to Chattogram, below the normal 260 million to 270 million cubic feet.

Also Bangladesh’s Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs recommended emergency procurement of eight liquefied natural gas cargoes from suppliers in the United Kingdom, Australia, Malaysia and Oman to help maintain gas supplies amid geopolitical instability. The committee also backed plans to import 5,000 metric tons of liquefied petroleum gas and procure about 200 electric buses, along with charging stations and related infrastructure.