Six bidders listed for talks on LNG import

The Energy Division has selected six bidders to start the final negotiation phase for importing liquefied natural gas (equivalent of 200mmcf of gas)  from the spot market under "Small Scale LNG Supply" project by February 2018.
Following initial talks with 14 LNG suppliers between 7 to 9 August, Energy Division shortlisted the companies to start negotiating with them from August 16, sources told Daily Observer.
"We discussed all relevant issues with the companies and selected six bidders including Mobil-exon, marubini, PTC, Exmore types of internationally reputed companies, however, we asked them to submit their bids by August 16," Managing Director of Rupantarito Prakitik Gas Company Ltd (RPGCL) MD Kamruzzaman Managing Director told the Daily Observer on Thursday.
All activities will be done under the Special Powers Act, meaning it will not follow the usual tendering process.
MD Kamruzzaman is heading the negotiation committee.
Finally we will select one or two companies as a suitable bidder; however, we set to complete the whole task by this month, according to the Kamruzzaman.
  "We will initiate to import small scale LNG through using KAFCO (Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited) and Chittagong Urea Fertilizer Ltd. (CUFL) jetties, however, initially we set to import 100-200 tonnes of LNG gas " he said.
According to the Energy Division about 14 companies had shown their business interests to the energy division.
Government plans to import small scale LNG by February 2018 to meet the domestic demand.
Earlier, the government inked a deal with Excelerate Energy for FRSU to be built in 18 months. Qatar's state-run firm-RasGas Company Limited (RasGas) is planned to supply gas. But the government would also keep some other sources open for importing LNG so to mitigate gas crisis.
The demand of gas in domestic market is increasing as government in principle decided to generate 3,000MW of electricity in the next six to nine months under unsolicited deals and tendering process. Gas is mostly use in generating power.
The country is facing a shortage of 500 to 700 mmcf of gas per day.
Power Division has already submitted a summary proposal to the Prime Minister's Office for generating 3,000MW of electricity on an emergency basis as the power supply gap is estimated to widen to 1977MW next year against the demand for 14,055MW.   
 The Government is to install FRSU at Maheskhali Island of Cox's Bazar to facilitate the daily gas supply increase by 500 mmcf LNG from Qatar to meet the country's growing demand, officials said.