Supplies of 500 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of liquefied natural gas (LNG) into the national grid from Chattogram began yesterday (Saturday). Of this amount of 500 mmcf, 200 mmcf were supplied to the capital, which had suffered from severe gas shortages during the winter. A Petrobangla official told The Independent that at 3pm yesterday (Saturday), the LNG was supplied into the grid. “Now, with 500 mmcf of LNG, electricity and fertiliser production can go on in full swing.”

Earlier, supplies of 500 mmcfd of LNG began in August on a pilot basis. But the full amount of gas could not be supplied because of technical glitches. The supply was also hampered as a consignment of gas did not reach Bangladesh from Oman on time. Later, the highest amount of 330 mmcfd of gas was supplied per day in the last six months, said Khair Ahmed Majumder, managing director of the Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited. As a consignment of imported LNG from Qatar arrived recently, the authorities decided to start supplies of 500 mmcf LNG gas from the floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) at Moheshkhali.

Excelerate Energy brought the first shipment of LNG from Qatar to Moheshkhali in the country.

Sources said that to ensure uninterrupted supply of LNG to the national grid, the government could take a loan of USD 50 million either from the Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) or from the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC).