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DHAKA: Gas supply has started to increase again after falling sharply on Thursday due to disruptions in LNG transfer caused by rough weather at sea, Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Resources Corporation (Petrobangla) said on Friday.
Gas supply had returned to near-normal levels after almost two months. However, adverse weather conditions in the sea disrupted LNG transfer at the floating terminal in Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar, reducing gas supply through pipelines and causing some inconvenience to consumers.
In a statement issued on Friday, Petrobangla said the gas supply situation was improving as LNG transfer from a cargo to the floating terminal at Maheshkhali had resumed.
Petrobangla said on Thursday evening that LNG transfer at the floating terminal had been disrupted because of rough weather, resulting in a decline in overall gas supply.
According to Petrobangla sources, the country’s daily gas demand is around 3.8 billion cubic feet (bcf), while supply had been maintained at 2.65–2.70 bcf for a long time. Supply stood at 2.60 bcf on Wednesday but dropped to 2.20 bcf on Thursday evening, a decline of 400 million cubic feet.
At 10am on Friday, gas supply increased to 2.34 bcf.
Imported LNG accounts for around 35–40% of the country’s total gas supply. Two floating terminals are located offshore at Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar to regasify LNG and supply it to the national pipeline network.
One terminal is operated by US-based Excelerate Energy, while the other is operated by local company Summit. Together, the two terminals can supply up to 1.05 bcf of LNG per day.
Although a new LNG cargo had arrived, adverse weather prevented its transfer to the terminal on Thursday. LNG supply subsequently fell to 590 million cubic feet, compared with around 1 bcf in previous days.
LNG supply rose to 730 million cubic feet on Friday morning. Petrobangla said the supply would be increased gradually.