CHATTOGRAM, Jan 3: Acute shortage of gas in Chattogram is expected to continue till March causing immense sufferings to the city dwellers. The gas crisis has been continuing in Chattogram since last October. Since then the people of the port city had been sufferings from gas shortage.
According to RPGCL (Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Ltd) sources, the production of LNG in two floating plants has declined to 500 million cubic feet daily due to technical problems in one of the two FSRU on October 20.
Two floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) developed for Petrobangla and Summit Group at Moheshkhali Island in the Bay of Bengal are able to produce 1000 million cft of gas daily, having the capacity of 500 million cft each.
RPGCL sources said both the FSRU need proper maintenance after 5 years of installation.
So, both the units should be sent to Singapore for overhauling and to get a certificate, sources said.
First of all, the FSRU belongs to Summit group sent to Singapore for maintenance works. But still the said FSRU did not return. After its return the Petrobangla unit will go to Singapore for the same reason.
RPGCL sources said the gas crisis may continue till March.
Presently, production has declined to 500 mcft keeping one unit on operation.
Of them Chattogram is now getting only 230 mcft of gas daily against the demand of 350 mcft.
As a result, supply to all other subscribers including commercial, industrial and domestic have been hardhit.
The total numbers of subscribers of the Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Ltd (KGDCL) are 60,1914 including 5,97561 are domestic.
According to KGDCL sources, Chattogram needs 100 million cft for private industries including all EPZ and EZ, 100 million cft for CUFL and KAFCO, 100 million cft for four power plants and 50 million cft for domestic uses.
From 230 million cft of gas now receiving from Petrobangla, 100 million cft distributes to private industries, 50 million cft for domestic uses and 28 million cft for one Shikalbaha 40 MW power plant, KGDCL sources said.
The country has two LNG import terminals commissioned in 2018. Excelerate Energy provided its floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) for two projects developed for Petrobangla and Summit Group at Moheshkhali Island in the Bay of Bengal.
Bangladesh aims to mix long-term supply with volumes procured on the spot LNG market to ensure supply security and price competitiveness.
