LNG Terminal Halts Production Again Amid Bangladesh Energy Crisis
The Excelerate Energy-operated LNG terminal in Bangladesh has halted production for the second time this month, exacerbating the country's ongoing energy crisis. According to sources at Petrobangla and the Energy Division, the terminal stopped producing around 3 pm on Wednesday due to depleted fuel stocks.
This is just four days after the terminal resumed operations following a major technical glitch that caused an acute countrywide energy crisis. The terminal supplies approximately 600 million cubic feet of natural gas per day to the national grid.
As a result of the halt in production, Bangladesh's total daily supply potential has decreased from 2,700 million cubic feet to 2,200 million cubic feet, resulting in a daily supply-demand gap of 1,600 million cubic feet. The next new LNG cargo is not expected to arrive until August 23.
In an attempt to mitigate the crisis, the government approved the direct spot purchase of 14 cargoes from seven companies on Wednesday. However, none of these shipments are expected to reach Bangladesh before September 1-2.