Gas Supply Crisis Eases in Bangladesh as FSRU Operations Resume

Bangladesh's gas supply crisis has shown some signs of relief after Saturday's total gas output rose to around 2,445 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd), a 25% increase from the previous day's output. This surge in gas production is attributed to the resumption of operation of both Floating Storage and Regasification Units (FSRUs) at Petrobangla.

The state-run Petrobangla reported that LNG re-gasification ramped up to around 828 mmcfd, a significant improvement from Thursday's output of around 200 mmcfd. Local gas fields also contributed to the increased production, with natural-gas output standing at around 1,615 mmcfd.

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has assured that Bangladesh's gas crisis will 'significantly ease within a few days'. He apologized for the hardship caused by the fuel shortage and blamed the previous government for the crisis. The Prime Minister stated that one of the two FSRUs had suffered a sudden accident, triggering the crisis.

The country had faced energy shortages after the abrupt operational closure of one of its two FSRUs on July 21. However, the FSRU of a US company resumed partial operations on August 6. The rough weather in the Bay of Bengal has also been challenging, with shortages prompting the country to ration gas.