The severe gas crisis in the country has left homemakers and industrialists in a difficult situation.
The situation is so dire that even CNG drivers wait at the filling stations for hours to refill gas. Production in the ceramic, Ispat, and textile sectors has been declining for the same reason.
The government is currently utilising gas to produce enough electricity this summer, which has disrupted gas supply in residential and industrial areas.
Industrialists told Bangladesh Pratidin that they are not being provided with enough gas supply despite paying a record price. They fear whether they will be able to continue operations in their factories as production is declining with time.
Already, many factory owners have shut down operations in the face of overwhelming loans. This adversely affects investments and exports.
According to Petrobangla (Bangladesh Oil, Gas & Mineral Corporation) data, in the fiscal year 2023-24, the country’s power sector received the most gas supply — 392.45 billion cubic feet (BCF), which is 43 per cent of the total gas supply, while industries received 168.21 BCF (18 per cent), captive power plants 153.62 BCF (17 per cent), residential areas 100.2 BCF (11 per cent), fertiliser 50.4 BCF (5 per cent), and CNG 45.06 BCF (5 per cent). Meanwhile, the commerce sector and tea orchards received the least amount of gas — 5.24 BCF (1 per cent) and 1.17 BCF (0 per cent), respectively.
According to sources, production has been slashed by half in factories of Chattogram, Gazipur, Savar, Narayanganj, Rupganj, and Narsingdi areas due to inadequate gas supply. Even gas-based power production, owned by factory proprietors, has halted in several areas.
According to them, gas pressure has been reduced to one-third, which disrupted production.
Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) Vice-President Md. Saleudh Zaman Khan told Bangladesh Pratidin on Monday that the Gas pressure was 2 PSI, instead of the ideal 15 PSI, at his factory in Bhulta of Narayanganj’s Rupganj. “To meet the buyers’ demand, we buy diesel to continue operations. Still, we can only produce 50 per cent of our capacity,” he said.
“We are in a dire state,” he added.
A resident in the capital’s Kalabagan area, Naznin Ahmed, said that pressure in gas-based stoves is so low that she has to cook at midnight to meet her family’s demand. Sometimes, she buys lunch to meet the demand.
Another resident of Mohammadpur, Shamima Aktar, said that she pays electricity bills every month, yet there has been no gas supply throughout the day for the past few months.
Sources at a filling station in Mirpur’s Ceramic area reported that vehicles have been waiting in long queues at the station for the past few days to refuel.
Abdur Rahim, a driver of a private company, noted that he has been facing difficulties filling gas from stations for the last month.
According to Petrobangla officials, efforts are underway to produce gas locally. Even old fields are being reformed, along with initiatives to dig new ones. However, this is a long-term process.
The officials stressed that the country is relying more on LNG due to the domestic gas crisis.
Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC General Manager (Operation) Engineer Kazi Mohammad Saidul Hasan highlighted that the combined amount of locally produced gas and LNG is yet to meet demand. Currently, the daily gas supply covers 1,530 million cubic feet (MMCF) against the demand of 1,963 MMCF. The daily gas deficit stands at 433 MMCF.
He also stressed that Petrobangla had been asked to provide 200 MMCF daily to meet the country’s demand. However, the government is prioritising the power sector as summer looms. This has disrupted the gas supply in industries and residences.
The Titas gas sources also noted that this supply would surge from mid-May to June.
During the first week of May, 40 MMCF of gas is expected from domestic sources. An additional 60 to 70 MMCF of gas is expected from LNG. Currently, 840 MMCF of gas is produced from LNG, and this amount is anticipated to increase to 900 MMCF by mid-May.
Moreover, another 50 MMCF of gas is expected from June 2. Titas sources anticipate an improved situation in the country’s gas supply by then.
Translated & edited by Fariha Nowshin Chinika
