Ctg faces 40% gas deficit as LNG supply from Moheshkhali hit by technical, weather issues

Gas supply from the LNG terminals in Cox's Bazar's Moheshkhali has fallen by 63% due to simultaneous technical and weather-related problems, causing a severe gas shortage in Chattogram, with CNG refuelling stations, industries, and households bearing the brunt.

One of Excelerate Energy's two boilers is currently out of operation for maintenance, while an LNG carrier at Summit's terminal has been unable to berth due to adverse weather conditions. As a result, unloading of newly imported LNG has also been delayed.

Bangladesh has two floating LNG terminals in Moheshkhali for supplying imported liquefied natural gas to the national grid — one operated by Excelerate Energy and the other by Summit LNG. Chattogram's gas supply is largely dependent on these two terminals.

According to data from Petrobangla's production and marketing division, the two Moheshkhali terminals were supplying around 410 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of gas to the national grid as of 10am today (12 August).

The terminals have a combined regasification capacity of 1,100 mmcfd — 600 mmcfd for Excelerate Energy's terminal and 500 mmcfd for Summit LNG. The current supply is therefore only around 37% of their combined capacity, representing a shortfall of about 63%.

Engineer Md Mahmudul Hasan, deputy general manager (production and marketing) at Petrobangla, told The Business Standard that one of Excelerate Energy's two boilers is currently functional, while the other is undergoing maintenance.

He said the second boiler is expected to resume operation once the maintenance work is completed.

The official said Summit's terminal was also facing difficulties because of adverse weather. "Although an LNG vessel is at the terminal, it cannot berth safely because of the adverse weather, including high winds.

"As a result, unloading or transferring LNG from the vessel cannot begin. Operations will start once the weather and safety conditions become favourable," he said.

The technical team concerned is ready to begin operations, he added, but the start of the vessel's operation depends entirely on weather conditions.

Gas supply is expected to increase once the situation returns to normal, he said.

210mmcfd against 350mmcfd demand

The impact of the Moheshkhali supply crisis has been felt most immediately in Chattogram.

According to Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Ltd (KGDCL), the city's daily gas demand is around 350mmcfd, while supply stood at only 210mmcfd this morning — a shortfall of around 140mmcfd, or 40%.

Engineer Md Tajuddin Dhali, general manager of KGDCL's engineering services department, told TBS that the reduced supply had created a major challenge for managing the situation.

"We are trying to manage the situation based on the changed supply. Ensuring that residential consumers and CNG stations do not face complete disruption is being given the highest priority," he said.

He said Chattogram's supply had stood at 230-234mmcfd yesterday morning but began declining again after noon. The supply fell further overnight, worsening the deficit.

Long queues at refuelling stations

The gas shortage has also caused long queues at CNG refuelling stations across the port city.

Akhtar Hossain, a driver who was at Fossil Petrol Pump in Muradpur around 11am today, told TBS that he had been waiting in line for gas since 8am.

He said the crisis returned after several days of normal supply. "If the price of gas needs to be increased, let it be increased. But there is no justification for putting people through such suffering," he said.

Md Fakhruddin Islam Shimul, manager of Fossil Petrol Pump, said the reduced gas pressure was preventing the station from supplying gas normally.

"Normally, the gas pressure reading at the pump is 220, but it is currently fluctuating between 150 and 170. As a result, it is taking much longer than usual to refuel a vehicle," he said.

He added that the problem had started on Monday night, with gas supply repeatedly stopping after brief periods of availability. The station had not received any official notice about the disruption, he said.

Long queues were also seen at SH Khan & Sons CNG Refuelling Station near the Chattogram Wasa intersection, where vehicles remained lined up despite the supply being suspended.

CNG-run auto-rickshaw driver Mohammad Shafik said he had been waiting since 6am and did not know when gas would become available.

He said he had to pay Tk1,100 in daily vehicle rent, meaning he was facing financial losses even without earning an income.

At Rainbow CNG Station Ltd in the city's Tigerpass area, gas supply was also suspended due to the shortage. The disruptions have resulted in long waits, traffic congestion at stations and reduced earnings for drivers.

Industries, households also affected

The impact of the gas shortage is not limited to the transport sector. Residential consumers are also facing difficulties.

Mohammad Afzal Forman of Hamzarbagh told TBS that the gas crisis had compounded problems caused by electricity disruptions.

"We are now facing a gas problem in addition to the electricity problem. We are having difficulty cooking because there is not enough gas at home. We want relief from this suffering as soon as possible," he said.

Industrial production has also been disrupted by the reduced gas supply, while businesses are facing difficulties maintaining normal operations.

Former BGMEA director Khandkar Belayet Hossain called for regular and transparent updates on the country's gas situation.

He said the authorities should publish a "daily gas situation bulletin" at a fixed time every day, similar to the daily bulletins issued during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The bulletin, he said, should include total national gas demand, actual production and supply, the overall deficit, LNG's contribution to national supply, and sector-wise allocations for power, industry, fertiliser, and residential consumers.

It should also provide information on the number of hours of gas supply in different areas, gas pressure, and the impact of the shortage on electricity and industrial production, he said.

Belayet said the authorities should regularly disclose their plans for the next 24 to 48 hours, progress in LNG imports, additional import capacity and initiatives to increase domestic gas production.

Such information would help provide a clear picture of the crisis, reduce rumours and confusion, and improve accountability among the relevant agencies, he said.

Excelerate terminal still operating below capacity

Supply from Excelerate Energy's terminal was disrupted following an accident there on 21 July. Partial supply resumed on 6 August after one boiler was brought back into operation, but the second boiler remains under repair.

At the same time, adverse weather has prevented an LNG carrier at Summit's terminal from berthing, delaying the unloading of new LNG.

As the two Moheshkhali terminals remain unable to operate at full capacity, the resulting gas shortage is putting additional pressure on Chattogram's industrial, transport and residential consumers.