Gas supply halved in Ctg

CHATTOGRAM, Aug 13: Chattogram’s gas crisis has deepened, with the port city receiving less than half its daily requirement, disrupting industries, power generation and household activities.
The crisis began on July 21 after a technical glitch shut down Excelerate Energy’s floating LNG terminal at Moheshkhali. Though the terminal resumed limited operations on August 6, Chattogram has yet to benefit significantly.
Petrobangla is currently supplying the city less than 200 million cubic feet (mmcfd) of gas a day, sometimes below 190 mmcfd, against demand of around 400 mmcfd, according to sources. The available gas is being distributed through the national grid to other parts of the country, they said.
Chattogram has two LNG terminals at Moheshkhali, operated by Excelerate Energy and Summit Group, which normally supply more than 1,100 mmcfd combined. The disruption at the Excelerate terminal reduced LNG availability substantially.
Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL) officials said low pipeline pressure has prevented them from supplying sufficient gas to several areas. The shortage has severely affected industries, including garment, textile, steel, re-rolling, ceramic, spinning and food-processing plants.
Production at Chattogram Urea Fertiliser Limited (CUFL) has also remained suspended. Several factories have either halted operations or introduced unannounced layoffs, leaving businesses struggling to pay workers, utility bills, operating costs and bank loans.
Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) president Mohammad Amirul Haque said, "Prolonged gas and electricity shortages had caused substantial losses to industries and threatened export targets and investor confidence."
The chamber has sought a 90-day moratorium on gas and electricity bills without penalties, a three-month suspension of commercial loan instalments and waiver of bank interest for severely affected industries. It also urged utility providers not to disconnect active factories during the crisis.