Gas Crisis Deepens as LNG Outage Hits Supply

Residents cook on makeshift brick stoves as low gas pressure disrupts household cooking in Navodaya housing in Mohammadpur, Dhaka, on Sunday (July 26). P

Bangladesh's gas crisis is expected to persist as repairs continue at a floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) in Cox's Bazar, leaving millions of households in Dhaka and surrounding areas struggling to cook due to severely reduced gas supply.

The disruption began after a fire at the Excelerate Energy-operated FSRU at Moheshkhali on July 21, damaging one of its two boilers and forcing the terminal to suspend operations.

The incident has reduced the country's total gas supply to below 2,150 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) from an average of around 2,700 mmcfd, against a daily demand of nearly 3,800 mmcfd.

International technical teams from the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates have been working at the terminal since Thursday to repair the damage.

Petrobangla Public Relations Officer Tariqul Islam Khan said repair work is progressing, but it will take more time before the terminal resumes operations.

The supply shortfall has hit households particularly hard, with gas pressure dropping to near zero in many parts of the capital.

Residents of Mohammadpur, Kalabagan, Kafrul, Kazipara, West Tejturi Bazar, Mirpur, Rampura and Badda said they have been unable to use their gas stoves for several days.

Many low-income families have resorted to cooking on temporary clay stoves using firewood, while others have switched to electric cookers or LPG cylinders, increasing their household expenses.

The prolonged disruption has sparked protests in several neighbourhoods, including Mohammadpur, while many residents have also voiced their frustration on social media.

The gas shortage has also affected other sectors. According to Petrobangla, gas-fired power generation has declined by about 1,500 megawatts, raising concerns over possible power outages.

Long queues have formed at CNG filling stations across Dhaka, while many industries are experiencing lower production because of inadequate gas pressure.

Petrobangla apologised for the disruption and said engineers are working around the clock to restore the terminal.

Meanwhile, Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC warned that low gas pressure across Dhaka and neighbouring districts is likely to continue until the situation improves.