Excelerate LNG terminal resumes operation partially

The LNG terminal operated by Excelerate Energy at Moheshkhali resumed its operation on Thursday from the Floating Storage and Regasification unit (FSRU) at Moheshkhali LNG terminal partially, Petrobangla said.

“The country's gas supply is expected to return to normal within the next two to three days,” Energy Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood told reporters at his secretariat office.

Gas supply to normalise within next two to three days, assures Iqbal Hassan

He said the floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU), which had remained out of operation due to a mechanical fault, will resume supplying gas from Thursday afternoon after the completion of repair work.

The minister said gas pressure would gradually improve once transmission resumes.

"As transmission starts, the pressure in areas where it has fallen will gradually recover, and we will be able to overcome the current situation," he said.

Responding to a question on how long it would take for the gas situation to normalise, Mahmud said it would take at least two to three days.

"It will return to the level it was before the FSRU went out of operation," he added. 

The minister also urged consumers with complaints regarding electricity bills to contact the relevant authorities for resolution.

Replying to a question about his meeting with the Indian High Commissioner and whether the current situation had been discussed, Iqbal Hassan said it was a routine meeting.

"As India is our neighbouring country, we have many areas of mutual interest, and those issues were discussed," he said.

After a fire accident, Excelerate Energy stopped supplying gas to the national grid on July 21 from the FSRU.

Dr. Rafiqul Islam, member (Operation) Petrobangla said around 115 mmcfd gas is being supplied today (Thursday) after the resumption of operation of FSRU, supply would be increase by 750 to 800 mmcfd by tonight, he added. 

The disruption significantly reduced LNG regasification capacity, as Bangladesh has been relying on only one operational FSRU for imports since another terminal remained out of service. 

The July Uprising incident cut roughly 450 million cubic feet per day (MMcfd), or half the LNG supply, from the national grid, worsening an already severe deficit.

Electricity shortages exceeded 3,000MW at times, industries faced critically low gas pressure, CNG stations struggled to refuel vehicles, and households in many areas received inadequate supplies.

Engineers are expected to restart one of the FSRU's two boilers, potentially restoring 200-250MMcfd, according to Md Salahuddin, managing director of Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Ltd.

Petrobangla officials said another LNG cargo has already arrived in Bangladeshi waters and is expected to begin unloading from Friday, allowing the terminal to supply between 20 million and 30 million cubic feet of gas per day.