Gas supply to the national grid has fallen sharply due to technical problems at LNG terminals in Maheshkhali and adverse weather. The two floating terminals are currently supplying only 37 percent of their combined capacity, leaving a deficit of around 63 percent.

The impact is being felt most severely in Chattogram, where CNG stations are seeing long queues, industrial production is being disrupted and residential consumers are struggling with cooking and other household activities because of low gas pressure.

According to Petrobangla’s Production and Marketing Division, the two LNG terminals in Maheshkhali supplied around 410 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) of gas to the national grid as of 10am on Wednesday (August 12).

The combined regasification capacity of the Excelerate Energy and Summit LNG terminals is 1,100 MMCFD. Excelerate Energy has a capacity of 600 MMCFD, while Summit has a capacity of 500 MMCFD. At present, the two terminals are operating at only 37 percent of their combined capacity.

Excelerate Boiler Shut Down, Summit Hit by Bad Weather

Petrobangla Deputy General Manager (Production and Marketing) Engineer Moha. Mahmudul Hasan said one of Excelerate Energy’s two boilers is currently operational, while the other has been shut down for maintenance. He said the second boiler is expected to resume operations after repairs are completed.

The supply shortage, however, is not solely due to the technical problem at Excelerate. Summit’s terminal is also facing difficulties because of adverse weather conditions. An LNG carrier is currently waiting there, but strong winds and unfavorable weather are preventing it from safely berthing. As a result, LNG unloading from the vessel has not yet begun.

He said the technical teams are ready to start operations once weather and safety conditions improve. However, the vessel’s operations are entirely dependent on weather conditions. LNG supply is expected to increase once the situation returns to normal.

Chattogram Faces 140 MMCFD Gas Shortfall

The reduced supply from Maheshkhali has had a direct impact on Chattogram. According to Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited (KGDCL), the city’s daily gas demand is around 350 MMCFD, while only 210 MMCFD was available on Wednesday morning.

The resulting shortfall is around 140 MMCFD, equivalent to approximately 40 percent of the city’s total demand.

Engineer Md. Tajuddin Dhali, general manager of KGDCL’s Engineer Service Department, said the decline in supply has made it challenging to manage the situation. Authorities are trying to maintain supply based on the available volume, with priority given to preventing complete disruption for residential consumers and CNG stations.

He said gas supply in Chattogram was between 230 and 234 MMCFD on Tuesday morning. It began declining after noon and fell further overnight, worsening the crisis.

Long Queues at CNG Stations

Low gas pressure has forced drivers to wait for hours at several CNG stations across Chattogram. A long line of vehicles was seen at Fossil Petrol Pump in Muradpur around 11am on Wednesday.

Driver Akhtar Hossain said he had been waiting for gas since 8am. He said the situation had remained normal for several days before the shortage returned on Tuesday.

Md. Fakhruddin Islam Shimul, manager of Fossil Petrol Pump, said low gas pressure was preventing the station from supplying gas at the normal rate. He said the pressure reading usually remains around 220 but is currently fluctuating between 150 and 170. As a result, filling each vehicle is taking much longer than usual.

He said the problem began Monday night. Although gas becomes available intermittently, supply is repeatedly interrupted. The station has not received any official notice regarding the disruption, he added.

A similar situation was reported at SH Khan Sons CNG Refueling Station in the Wasa intersection area, where gas supply was suspended but vehicles remained in line hoping it would resume.

Driver Mohammad Shafik said, “I have been standing in line since 6am. I do not know when gas will be supplied. I have to pay Tk 1,100 in daily rent just to take the vehicle out. So I am facing the pressure of paying rent even without earning any income.”

Gas supply was also found to be suspended at Rainbow CNG Station in the Tigerpass area. The disruption has resulted in long waits, traffic congestion and reduced earnings for drivers at several stations across the city.

Residential Consumers Also Suffering

The gas shortage is also affecting households. Mohammad Afzal Forman, a resident of Hamzarbagh, said the gas crisis had added to existing electricity problems. Insufficient gas supply is making it difficult to cook at home.

Call for Daily Gas Situation Bulletin

Meanwhile, former BGMEA director Khandaker Belayet Hossain has called for regular and transparent publication of information about the country’s gas situation.

He said a “Daily Gas Situation Bulletin” should be issued at a fixed time, similar to the regular bulletins published during the COVID-19 pandemic. The bulletin should include total gas demand, production and supply, the overall shortfall, LNG’s contribution to the national grid, and sector-wise allocations for power, industry, fertiliser and residential consumers.

He also called for regular publication of information on the number of hours gas is supplied in different areas, gas pressure levels and the impact of the shortage on power generation and industrial production.

Khandaker Belayet Hossain further said authorities should provide regular updates on plans for the next 24 to 48 hours, progress in LNG imports, additional import capacity and initiatives to increase domestic gas production.

According to him, greater transparency would help provide a clear picture of the crisis, reduce rumours and confusion, and strengthen accountability among the agencies concerned.

When Will Supply Return to Normal?

Gas supply from Excelerate Energy’s terminal was disrupted following an accident there on July 21. Partial supply resumed after one boiler was brought back into operation on August 6, but the second boiler remains under repair.

At Summit’s terminal, meanwhile, adverse weather is preventing an LNG carrier from safely berthing, further delaying the unloading of a new LNG cargo.

With both Maheshkhali terminals operating below full capacity, the gas shortage in Chattogram has intensified. Unless their operations are restored quickly and gas supply is increased, the difficulties facing the industrial, transport and residential sectors could worsen further.