Gas Supply Resumes from Floating LNG Terminal
The floating LNG terminal at Maheshkhali has partially resumed operations after being shut down for nearly two weeks due to a boiler explosion. According to Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Iqbal Hasan Mahmud, the terminal’s partial resumption of operations has increased the supply of imported natural gas. However, full restoration of imported gas supply is expected to take another two to three days.
The shutdown of the Maheshkhali floating LNG terminal had reduced imported gas supply by nearly half, triggering a nationwide gas crisis over the past two weeks. Prior to the disruption, Bangladesh’s daily gas demand was around 3.8 billion cubic feet (Bcf), while supply was approximately 2.7 Bcf. With imported LNG supply cut by half, total gas supply dropped to around 2.25 Bcf per day. The terminal shutdown alone reduced supply by approximately 450 million cubic feet (MMcf) per day, further worsening the existing shortage.
As a result, the country was facing a gas supply shortfall of nearly 40 percent of total demand. Residential, commercial, and industrial consumers across the country experienced severe disruptions due to the gas shortage. Adviser Iqbal Hasan Mahmud stated that the ongoing electricity shortage would also ease once gas supply returns to normal.
The partial resumption of operations at the Maheshkhali floating LNG terminal is expected to alleviate the gas crisis, with full restoration of imported gas supply anticipated within the next few days.
Article and image source: energybangla.com
