Gas supply
Gas supply to remain off at these areas in Narayanganj, Dhaka and Munshiganj districts tomorrow
Gas supply will remain suspended in many areas of Narayanganj, and parts of Dhaka and Munshiganj districts for 16 hours — from 8 am on Monday (March 04, 2024) to 12 am — for emergency gas pipeline repair work.
Gas outage for 8 hours in parts of capital city Saturday
A public notice from Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited said the areas where gas supply will remain off include Godnail, Enayetnagar, Bau Bazar, Lucky Bazar, Hajiganj, Wabdapul, Qayyumpur, Fatulla, Sistabpur, Jail Khana Road, Post Office Road from Hajiganj junction to Shibu Market, Panchbati, Maizdair, Izdair, Chashara, Khanpur, Killarpool, Talla, Kutubail, Dharmaganj, Takkarmath, Pagla, Chitashal, Delpara, Jalkuri, Nayamati, Dapa Idrakpur, Bhuigarh, Qutubpur Union, Dhaka Match, Senpur, Moktarpur, Narayanganj BSCIC Area, Kashipur Union to Moktarpur via Panchabati area, Shimgaon, Siddhirganj, Adamji, Sahebpara, Mizmiji to Chittagong Road, and Siddhirganj.
The adjoining areas under Fatulla Police Station, Munshiganj and Narayanganj city may experience disruption or low pressure in gas supply, said Titas, regretting temporary inconveniences during the period.
Gas crisis: Indefinite transport strike underway in Sylhet
Industries in Dhaka, Gazipur, N'ganj still reeling from acute gas crisis despite Titas claims of improvement
Industries in Dhaka, Gazipur and Narayanganj continue to be afflicted by an acute gas crisis, even though Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company, the state-owned distributor of natural gas, claims the situation has improved.
As reported in the media previously, garments and textiles firms in the industrial belt of these central districts have been suffering from an acute gas crisis for the last few months.
“The factories are in dire straits,” a top top-level manager of a group of textile factories in Gazipur told UNB.
Most of the industries in Gazipur do not get adequate supply of gas during their operational periods, the most crucial hours during which their machines need to be running. Inadequate supply manifests in the form of low pressure gas flow, he added.
FBCCI urges for strengthening oil, gas exploration to ensure uninterrupted supply to industries
Low pressure gas flow is akin to low voltage electricity - many appliances won't run, even though an electric charge is present.
The textiles group official said that due to the lack of gas supply, production in various factories is being disrupted and they are on the verge of shutting down.
In the ongoing gas crisis, important machines like generators and broilers in the dyeing section of the factories are not being run. This has been posing a great risk for the industries to continue their production and pushing them towards huge financial losses.
“Many industries would not be able to pay the salaries and festival bonuses during the coming Eid if the situation does not improve,” said an industry owner.
Industry insiders said there are more than 300 factories in Kaliakoir and other areas in Gazipur.
All these industries have been suffering from the nagging gas crisis and some of them have already suspended their productions.
100% percent prepaid gas meters within four years: Nasrul Hamid
Each of the industries has more than 1000 workers. But following the gas crisis, they have to reduce their production target while some of them use CNG at a higher cost to continue their operations.
A similar situation is prevailing in the Mirpur, Tongi and Narayanganj areas, said Mohammad Hatem, Executive President, of Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA).
He said that despite increasing the price, the government is not able to provide adequate gas.
“Production in garment factories has come down to half due to non-availability of gas. Many buyers meanwhile are pushing for air shipments as the normal schedule for shipments has failed in keeping the commitment,” he said adding, some buyers are asking for discounts on the rates.
More gas likely to be found in Sylhet’s Kailashtila field: Nasrul
“Some customers are upset and cancel the order in such a situation,” he noted.
Recently the Bangladesh Chamber of Industries (BCI) has also alleged that no industry in the country is able to run at its full potential due to the gas crisis.
A Bangladesh Chamber Of Industries delegation, led by its president Anwar-ul Alam Chowdhury (Parvez), raised the allegation when it met Industries Minister Nurul Majid Mahmud Humayun at his ministry office.
The lone chamber for industries said the prices of electricity and gas were increased on the pretext of increasing prices on the international market in the hope that the government would ensure their continuous supply.
“But despite the declining trend of energy prices in the international market, it is being heard that the prices of electricity and gas will be increased again,” BCI said in a statement.
Read more: Govt okays import of LNG cargo from Singaporean firm to meet gas demand
It demands for a sustainable solution to the problem. “If a long term plan is given to the industrial sector in terms of power and gas supply, it can move forward accordingly."
Titas Gas general manager Arpana Islam admitted the gas crisis. But she claimed that the situation has improved to some extent recently following measures to increase the gas supply.
She advised to talk to Petrobangla when asked whether there is any possibility in near future to further improve the gas supply situation.
Petrobangla official statistics reveal that in the last one month the total gas supply across the country has increased by just 100 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) or so, leaving a deficit between production and supply of about 1500 mmcfd.
The Petrobangla data shows that on February 16 it produced 2671 mmcfd gas including its import from abroad against a demand for more than 4000 mmcfd.
The TItas Gas data also shows that about 30 power plants now remained out of operation due to gas shortage.
Read more: BNP denounces move to double monthly rent for prepaid gas meters
Gas supply to Ctg, elsewhere starts improving as LNG terminal resumes production
Gas supply to Chattagram and elsewhere has started to improve after a floating LNG terminal in Moheshkhali resumed production after its 45-day scheduled maintenance programme.
“Excelerate Energy’s FSRU started production after scheduled maintenance today. Now it has been supplying 230 million cubic feet of gas per day (mmcfd) and hopefully the supply will reach 500 mmcfd soon,” said a top official of the Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited (RPGCL).
The RPGCL, a subsidiary of state-owned Petrobangla, has been responsible to import LNG from abroad and receive re-gasification service from the existing two LNG terminals in Moheshkhali, one set up by Summit Group and another by US-based Excelerate Energy.
Each LNG terminal has a capacity to supply 500 mmcfd gas to the national gas network from which a major portion is supplied to Chattagram .
Read: Energy Division regrets inconvenience from gas crisis in Chattagram, elsewhere
The Excelerate Energy’s FSRU went on a 45-day maintenance programme suspending supply of gas to the national gas grid while the Summit’s FSRU experienced a technical fault halting gas supply to the national gas network, leading to a severe gas crisis in Chattagram and elsewhere.
Many areas in Dhaka, Narayanganj and Gazipur experienced extreme gas crises or low pressure problems.
The RPGCL official, however, informed that Summit’s FSRU also resumed production to a very low scale and it is providing a supply of 130 mmcfd against its capacity of 500 mmcfd.
He noted that the gas shortage problem is unlikely to be fully resolved as the Summit’s FSRU also has a schedule to start maintenance programme within 3-4 days.
Read: Uninterrupted gas supply by 2026 : Nasrul Hamid outlines energy plans
“We think the situation will improve to some extent, but not fully”, he told UNB.
The Energy Division on Friday expressed regrets for the inconvenience caused to consumers over the gas crisis in Chattogram and elsewhere in the country due to the suspension of the LNG supply from FSRU in Moheshkhali following a technical fault there.
In a press release, the Energy and Mineral Resources Division said that due to a technical fault at a Moheshkhali LNG FSRU, gas supply to Chattogram and other areas of the country remained suspended since early morning on Friday.
Read more: Acute gas crisis hits Chattogram city residents hard
Uninterrupted gas supply by 2026 : Nasrul Hamid outlines energy plans
Bangladesh’s State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Nasrul Hamid, announced a commitment to ensuring uninterrupted gas supply to consumers by 2026. This statement came during a discussion with reporters on Tuesday (January 16, 2024) about the power and energy sector's advancements, potential, and obstacles.
Having achieved the milestone of 100 percent electricity coverage, Hamid noted the government's focus is now on providing continuous power and gas supply by 2026. He highlighted that Bangladesh currently imports 20 percent of its gas, utilizing 80 percent from domestic sources, with no immediate plans to increase imports.
Fashion Design Council of Bangladesh unveils "Khadi- the future fabric show" at Khadi Fest 2024
The exploration of gas in deep sea areas could significantly bolster the energy division, Hamid mentioned. He acknowledged the existing challenges, particularly the ongoing gas shortage, attributing it to reliance on a Floating Storage and Regasification Unit (FSRU). Hamid assured that the current gas crisis is temporary, partly due to reduced pressure during severe winters.
Plans are underway to operationalize the FSRU soon, which is expected to add 400 mmcf of gas to the system. Additionally, another FSRU is set for renovation, with an aim to maintain uninterrupted gas supply starting next March. The minister revealed plans to incorporate two more FSRUs around 2026 and 2027 to meet the anticipated gas demand of 6,000 MMCF in 2027.
Tobacco use declines despite industry efforts to jeopardize progress: WHO
Hamid expressed optimism about domestic gas exploration, noting that most drilled wells have discovered gas. He emphasized the Bhola to Barishal gas pipeline as a top priority, with activities commencing this year. Gas from Bhola, currently supplied in CNG form, is expected to increase and be fully operational by mid-March next year.
The Bibiyana gas field also holds promise, with the minister expressing confidence about significant gas findings there. The immediate goal is to drill around 46 wells by mid-2025, followed by an additional 100 wells. This exploration is projected to add 500 mmcf of gas from domestic sources between 2024 and 2025.
Dhaka Elevated Expressway to be completed in 2024, says Obaidul Quader
Hamid concluded with a hopeful note on the Bibiyana field, which potentially harbors about 1.6 tcf of gas, further enhancing the nation's energy security and self-reliance.
Acute gas crisis hits Chattogram city residents hard
Different areas in Chattogram city have been experiencing shortage or low pressure in gas supply for the past one and a half months, hampering the household chores and production at industrial units.
City dwellers said although the gas crisis started in the mid October, it has intensified recently. Some of them alleged that they do not get any gas even in 24 hours.
According to Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL), the gas shortage in Chattogram port city turned acute due to suspension of gas supply from one of the two LNG terminals in Moheshkhali.
Besides, the authorities also suspended gas supply in households due to maintenance purposes.
KGDCL authorities said Chattogram used to some 310-400 million cubic feet of gas from the national grid during normal time but on January 3 it reveived only 280 million cubic feet.
The city dwellers have been experiencing the gas crisis since October 22 and gas supply remains suspended from 9 am to 3 pm in most of the areas.
Industries in Dhaka, adjoining areas to get Bhola’s gas in CNG form
KGDCL authorities said the gas shortage may continue for a long time due to low pressure of gas supply from Moheshkhali LNG gas terminal.
Meanwhile, Omar Hazzaz, president, Chattogram Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCCI), urged State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid to take necessary steps to mitigate the sufferings of the consumers.
He also sent a letter to the minister on Wednesday.
“Chattogram needs 400-450 million cubic feet of gas but only 280 million cubic feet is available now. Of the total gas, nearly 100 million cubic feet gas is used in two fertilizer factories and one thermal power plant while the rest are being distributed to the residents, industries and CNG filling stations, which is not sufficient,” the letter reads.
The rest of the gas is being distributed to a large number of residential consumers in the city, factories and CNG stations using various strategic methods. As a result, the factories and households are facing a serious gas crisis, it added.
Industries in Dhaka, adjoining areas to get Bhola’s gas in CNG form
Managing director of KGDCL (operation division), Engineer Aminur Rahman, said the people of Chattogram port city depend on LNG gas supply and the supply of gas has reduced remarkably.
“It is difficult to say how long the crisis will stay,” he added.
Talking to some residents in Lalkhan Bazar, Kazir Dewri, Askar DighirPar, Khulshi, Jamal Khan lane, Dewanji Pukur Par, Dewan Bazar, Hem Sen Lane, Shulokbohor, Ghat Farhadbegh, Bakolia, Chawkbazar and others area, this UNB correspondent found that people of those areas are passing their days in misery during this winter.
Many residents of the areas said it is not new. Every year they experience gas crisis from November to February.
Shahnur Sultana, an employee of a bank, said “Now I have to leave my house in the morning without having any breakfast as there is no gas in my house in the morning. We have to buy food from a local hotel.”
KGDCL authorities said the gas supply to the domestic consumers has been disrupted as they have to supply gas to Chattogram Urea Fertilizer Limited (CUFL) and Karnaphuli Fertilizer Company Limited (KFCL).
Raid Uddin Ahmed, General Manager (Marketing, South Division) of KGDCL, said two Moheshkhali LNG terminals supply a total of 800-900 million cubic feet of gas to the national grid but now supply from one of them has been suspended due to maintenance work.
The supply situation will improve after the completion of the maintenance work, he added.
There are 6,01,914 consumers under KGDCL and of these, 5,97,516 connections are given to households.
Gas supply from Bhola to Dhaka’s industries in CNG form begins
Gas supply to remain suspended for 4 hours in northern part of Dhaka city Thursday
Gas supply will remain suspended for four hours on Thursday in different areas of the northern part of Dhaka city.
Read: No gas supply for 8 hours in several Dhaka areas today
According to an emergency public notice of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited, the gas supply will remain off for all kinds of consumers at Uttarkhan , Dakkhinkhan, Uttara Sector 6 and Uttara Sector 8 from 10 am to 2 pm on Thursday for emergency line relocation works in the Sonargaon-Janapath Rail Crossing area.
Read: Gas supply to remain off for 6 hours in parts of Dhaka Thursday
Regretting the temporary inconveniences of its customers, the Tatas Gas authority also said that the consumers at the adjoining areas may experience low pressure in the gas supply.
Gas supply to stop for 8 hours at different areas in city Saturday
Gas supply will remain suspended for eight hours on Saturday (June 3, 2023) at different areas in the capital city Dhaka for emergency replacement and removal of gas pipelines.
According to a press release of Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited, the areas where gas supply will be suspended from 10 am to 6 pm on Saturday include the north side of the railway line up to Mogbazar, Mouchak, Malibagh Rail-gate, Nayatola, Gabtala, Greenway, Payarabagh, Madhubagh, and Moghbazar T&T Colony.
Read more: IPPs call for uniform import duty on primary fuels
Reheating for the temporary inconvenience, the Titas gas authority said the adjoining areas may experience low pressure problem in gas supply during the period.
Gas supply from another floating LNG terminal resumes after 9 days
Full scale gas supply from one of the Maheshkhali floating LNG terminals, which remained off from May 11 due to the impact of cyclonic storm Mocha, resumed on Saturday.
Aslam Alam, public relations officer (information officer) of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Ministry, said the operation of one of the floating LNG terminal in Mahishkhali of Cox’s Bazar district resumed on Saturday night.
Earlier, the gas supply from the two LNG terminals in Maheshkhali remained suspended due to the impact of Cyclone Mocha from May 11.
On May 16, the authorities resumed the operation of one the floating LNG terminals.
Also read: Gas supply from two floating LNG terminals to remain off due to cyclone
With the resumption of gas supply from the second floating LNG terminal, some 800 million cubic feet of gas (mmcfd) is being added to the national pipeline from the two LNG terminals.
People of the country, especially the residents of Chattogram, faced frequent load shedding for several days due to the suspension of the gas supply from two LNG terminals.
Production in many factories also remained suspended due to the lack of gas supply.
END/UNB/Corr/MAS/SH /FH
Gas supply to remain off for 8 hours on Thursday in parts of Dhaka
Gas supply will remain suspended for 8 hours from 2 pm to 10 pm on Thursday (March 02, 2023) for all kinds of consumers in different areas in the capital due to emergency tie-up works of pipelines.
The areas include Mintoo Road, Eskaton, Pirbagh, Habibullah Road, Karwan Bazar, Old Elephant Road and areas adjacent to PG Hospital, Birdem Hospital, Dhaka Club, Holy Family Hospital, Dhaka University and Buet, said the Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited.
Also Read: GE offers high efficiency gas turbine tech to ease nagging energy crisis
Regretting for the temporary inconveniences the Titas Gas authorities said the consumers in other adjacent areas may experience low pressure in gas supply.
Gas supply to remain off for 11 hours in parts of Dhaka Wednesday
Gas supply will remain suspended for 11 hours from 1 pm to 12 am (mid night) in different areas of Dhaka on Wednesday (December 07, 2022).
According to Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution Company Limited, the areas where there will be no gas supply due to emergency works in the pipeline include Tejgaon, Mohakhali, Gulshan, Banani, Natunbazar, Badda, and Khilbaritek.
Read: Gas reserve found in abandoned well of Beanibazar
The adjoining areas will experience low pressure in gas supply, said Titas Gas regretting the temporary inconvenience of the consumers during the period.