Bangladesh Gas Crisis Worsens as Terminal Shutdown Continues
A severe gas crisis is gripping Bangladesh, with supply expected to remain low for several days. The shutdown of Excelerate Energy's liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal due to a fire has exacerbated the shortage, which accounts for around 35-40% of the country's total daily gas supply.
Gas supply from the Excelerate terminal was suspended after the fire on Tuesday, resulting in a significant drop in LNG imports. The situation worsened over the weekend, with gas supply decreasing by another 300 million cubic feet per day.
According to Petrobangla sources, an expert team from the UK and UAE began working on the damaged terminal last Thursday. However, efforts to start the undamaged boiler were unsuccessful, and it may take around three to four days for the work to be completed after necessary imports arrive.
The gas shortage has resulted in long queues at CNG filling stations and reduced production in factories. Industrialists fear that if this situation persists, they may face difficulties in paying workers' wages and allowances, as well as failing to deliver export orders within scheduled deadlines.