Gas supply halted, production suspended at 2 fertiliser plants in Chattogram

Production at two major fertiliser factories in Anwara, Chattogram - Chittagong Urea Fertiliser Limited (CUFL) and Karnaphuli Fertiliser Company Limited (KAFCO) - has been temporarily suspended following a government directive to halt gas supply amid the ongoing energy shortage.

According to authorities, production at the two plants was stopped from 3pm yesterday (4 March).

Sources concerned said the government decided to limit gas supply to the industrial sector due to the country's continuing gas crisis. As part of the measure, gas pressure to fertiliser plants dropped, making it impossible to maintain normal production. Production was later suspended in line with the government directive.

Engineer Syed Abu Naser Md Saleh, general manager (in charge) of the Engineering Services Division at Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited, told The Business Standard, "Petrobangla has instructed us to halt gas supply. Therefore, gas supply to the two factories has been suspended since yesterday afternoon."

According to factory authorities, CUFL normally produces around 1,100 to 1,200 tonnes of urea fertiliser per day. KAFCO, on the other hand, has the capacity to produce about 1,725 tonnes of urea and around 1,500 tonnes of ammonia daily. With the gas supply halted, this large-scale production has now been suspended.

Since fertiliser production is entirely dependent on gas, operations cannot continue without adequate pressure and uninterrupted supply. Running the plants with low gas pressure could damage equipment, authorities said.

CUFL Managing Director Mizanur Rahman said, "Due to the gas crisis, production at the factory has been temporarily suspended following government instructions. The factory will resume operations once gas supply returns to normal."

Attempts to contact KAFCO Chief Operating Officer Abdullah Fakur by phone were unsuccessful.