Excelerate FSRU halts supply again 4 days after resumption

The Excelerate Energy-operated floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) at Moheshkhali stopped supplying gas to the national grid this afternoon (19 August), just four days after resuming partial supply, due to a shortage of LNG cargo.

Several sources at Petrobangla and the Energy Division told The Business Standard that the terminal stopped supplying gas around 3pm as its remaining LNG stock ran out.

The terminal had remained out of operation for 25 days after a fire on 21 July. It resumed partial LNG supply only four days ago, but stopped supplying again today as its remaining LNG stock ran out.

The terminal had gradually reduced its supply since yesterday as its LNG stock depleted, sources said.

Petrobangla oversees LNG imports with approval from the Energy Division, while its subsidiary Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Ltd (RPGCL) handles LNG procurement.

Sources at Petrobangla and RPGCL said several LNG cargoes had been procured through direct purchases outside the regular procurement process to secure supplies at lower prices.

Four such cargoes were scheduled to arrive this month, but none had arrived as of today, they said.

As a result, the Excelerate terminal, despite being ready to operate, could not continue supplying LNG to the national grid.

Bangladesh has two floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) at Moheshkhali. Excelerate's terminal has a capacity of 600 million cubic feet (mmcf) per day, while Summit's has a capacity of 500 mmcf.

An LNG cargo is expected to arrive today and may be connected to Summit's terminal, a source said.

Another cargo for the Excelerate terminal could arrive between 23 and 24 August.

Following the latest halt, LNG-based gas supply fell from around 660 mmcf today to about 550 mmcf tomorrow. Total national gas supply also fell to around 2,180 mmcf.