Bangladesh Fast-Tracks Import of Spare Parts for Damaged LNG Terminal

The government of Bangladesh has expedited the importation of crucial spare parts for the Excelerate Energy floating LNG terminal, which was severely damaged in a fire on July 21. This move aims to restore operations as quickly as possible and mitigate the disruptions caused by the reduced gas supply.

Excelerate Energy sought permission through Petrobangla to import the necessary spare parts, which were approved promptly. The Office of the Chief Controller of Imports and Exports was instructed to issue the import permit within one hour of receiving the application.

The damaged terminal has cut 450 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) from the national grid, affecting supplies to households, industries, and compressed natural gas (CNG) filling stations. The ministry held a meeting with Excelerate Energy Regional Vice-President Aziz Kassim on Monday as part of efforts to resume operations quickly.

Excelerate's FSRU normally supplies around 500-550mmcfd of gas to the national grid, accounting for a significant share of Bangladesh's imported LNG supply. The terminal is expected to resume supplying around 280-300mmcfd of gas from next week, although full restoration will take additional time.

Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC warned that consumers across its franchise areas will continue to experience severe low gas pressure until the country's LNG supply situation improves.