LNG cargo arrives, but gas crisis persists

A new liquefied natural gas (LNG) cargo has arrived at Excelerate Energy’s floating LNG terminal in Moheshkhali, raising hopes of improved gas supply. However, the country’s gas crisis is unlikely to ease immediately as the cargo must first be unloaded and regasified before entering the national grid.

Excelerate Energy’s floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) at Moheshkhali can supply around 600 million cubic feet (mmcf) of gas per day at full capacity. Officials expect supply to gradually increase once the new cargo is processed.

The shipment arrived after Excelerate’s terminal stopped supplying gas on August 19 when its LNG stock ran out.

The terminal has faced repeated disruptions since a fire at Moheshkhali on July 21. It resumed limited operations on August 6 but suffered another disruption on August 14. Supply resumed the following day before the terminal ran out of LNG again.

The disruptions have reduced the volume of imported gas entering the national transmission network.
According to Petrobangla data, the country’s two floating LNG terminals were supplying 661 mmcf of gas per day to the national grid at noon on August 19. The figure dropped to 562 mmcf by 6pm after Excelerate halted its supply.

Total gas supply to the national transmission system also fell from 2,289 mmcf per day at noon to 2,189 mmcf six hours later.

Bangladesh has two floating LNG terminals in Moheshkhali. Summit’s terminal has continued operations, supplying around 560 mmcf of gas per day to the national grid. This has left the country heavily dependent on Summit while Excelerate’s terminal remained without LNG.

The overall gas shortage remains severe. Petrobangla officials said daily demand is around 3,800 mmcf, while supply has fallen to roughly 2,195 mmcf. Before the July 21 fire, daily supply was around 2,700 mmcf.

Officials said the arrival of the new cargo would not immediately restore normal supply. The LNG must first be unloaded from the carrier and converted into gas before Excelerate’s terminal can resume full-scale operations.

The new shipment is expected to gradually ease pressure on the national gas network, but a significant gap between demand and supply remains.

The government and relevant agencies are continuing efforts to secure additional LNG supplies and improve the country’s gas situation.