Bangladesh wants Qatar to participate in bidding process of fourth FSRU construction: Energy adviser

Bangladesh has sought more investments in the energy sector from Qatar during a meeting between Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources Advisor Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan and Qatari State Minister for Energy Affairs Saad Sherida Al-Kaabi, as both ministers met on the sidelines of the Earthna Summit 2025 today (22 April).

Bangladesh sought investment in the pursuit of constructing a land-based LNG terminal and the fourth FSRU, as well as an additional 10-12 LNG cargoes from existing long-term supply contracts. 

Talking with the Business Standard from Qatar, Adviser Khan said, "Today we had a very productive meeting with the Qatari energy minister. We are assured of increasing investment in the energy sector by Qatar." 

"We will build a land-based LNG terminal and want to construct the fourth FSRU. We requested them to participate in the bidding process as those projects would be constructed through open bidding. We also sought additional LNG cargo supply under the existing long-term deal," he said

To attract investors, Bangladesh has taken the initiative to clear all LNG import bills. Today, Bangladesh paid $5 million out of the total due of $37 million to QatarEnergy LNG, AKM Mizanur Rahman, director (Finance) of Petrobangla, confirmed TBS.

He said, "We paid $5 million to QatarEnergy LNG today out of $37 million of outstanding LNG import bills. We will pay the remaining $32 million tomorrow."

The $32 million would be paid through the Jeddah-based International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), as Bangladesh has created a basket of $500 million from ITFC to meet energy import bills. 

Bangladesh has created a positive impression among the Qatar investors following the development of the payment issue with QatarEnergy LNG, as it will receive all their dues by tomorrow. 

"They are very happy as we are clearing all dues of LNG import bills from QatarEnergy LNG," said Adviser Khan.

Bangladesh has two long-term LNG supply deals with Qatar state-owned organisations. From the first agreement, Bangladesh is receiving 40 LNG cargoes annually. Under the second agreement, the supplier will resume LNG supply from January 2026 onward and will supply 24 cargoes annually, with each cargo size 32 lakh MMbtu.

Of the two, the first LNG import deal was signed in 2017 with Qatar Energy LNG, formerly known as Qatargas.

Under the 15-year-long contract, Qatar Energy LNG will supply minimum 1.8 to 2.5 mtpa LNG at a cost of $10.114 per mmbtu with 40 cargoes each capacity of 32 lakh MMbtu.

The second long term deal was signed in 2023 with Qatar Energy Trading LLC and will supply 1.5 million tonnes per year (mtpa) of LNG starting in January 2026, which is equivalent to about 200 mmcfd for 15 years, with 24 cargoes at a rate of $10.07 per mmbtu (1 mtpa equals 133 mmcfd of gas).

Saiful Islam also said, "We are also requesting Qatar to establish a land based LNG terminal in Matarbari and an oil refinery plant."

Just hours before CA Yunus left for Qatar, his Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam said yesterday (21 April) outlined the possible engagement in economic and energy sector saying, "Bangladesh will focus on strengthening economic and energy cooperation with Qatar during the visit of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus in the oil-rich Middle Eastern country Qatar."