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A technical fault at the LNG terminals in Maheshkhali has reduced gas supply by nearly 450 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD), triggering an acute gas shortage across areas served by Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC.
As a result, residential, industrial, commercial and CNG customers under the Titas network are expected to continue experiencing low gas pressure until the situation improves, the state-owned gas distributor said in a press release on Tuesday.
According to the statement, regasified liquefied natural gas (RLNG) supply from the Maheshkhali LNG terminals has dropped by around 450 MMCFD due to technical problems.
However, Titas did not specify which terminal had developed the fault, the nature of the problem, when the disruption began, or how long it would take to restore normal supply.
The company apologised for the temporary inconvenience caused to consumers.
On Monday, Titas had issued another notice saying that industrial, commercial, CNG and residential consumers in several areas under its distribution network were facing severe low gas pressure due to supply shortages.
That notice did not mention the reason behind the supply disruption, identify the affected areas, or indicate when the situation might return to normal. Tuesday’s statement attributed the crisis to technical faults at the Maheshkhali LNG terminals.
Imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) is converted back into gaseous form at the terminals before being injected into the national gas transmission system. This regasified fuel is known as RLNG.
The Titas distribution area has a daily gas demand of around 2 billion cubic feet. In recent days, however, supply has fallen below 1.5 billion cubic feet, leaving the company with a daily shortfall of nearly 500 million cubic feet.
The supply deficit has led to reduced gas pressure in Dhaka, Gazipur and Narayanganj. Titas officials said the crisis has been particularly severe in Dhaka because it is located at the downstream end of the transmission and distribution network.
Residents of several parts of the capital, including Mohammadpur, Mirpur and Dhanmondi, have complained of prolonged gas outages or insufficient pressure for cooking over the past several days.
Many have been forced to rely on electric stoves or purchase cooked food from outside.