Chattogram Gas Crisis Deepens Amid LNG Terminal Fire
A severe gas crunch has hit Chattogram, causing an industrial slowdown across the region. The local gas supply has been cut by almost half, disrupting residential life, commercial businesses, and transport infrastructure.
The Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL) data reveals a huge gap between fuel demand and available supply: Total regional demand is 400 million cubic feet of gas per day, but the current daily supply is only 210 million cubic feet. This leaves the region with a daily supply deficit of 190 million cubic feet, or just 52.5% of its required gas.
The crisis is due to structural dependence on liquefied natural gas (LNG) imported through the floating terminal at Maheshkhali. A massive fire at the Excelerate Energy floating terminal on July 21 completely shut down the facility, cutting off about 450 million cubic feet of supply daily to the national grid.
Although engineers partially restarted a system boiler on August 6, restoring a baseline flow of 115 million cubic feet, the facility is still operating well below its normal operating capacity. Technical teams are still working to replace damaged electronic control components and instrumentation networks.