FSRU repairs under way, operations expected to resume soon.
A CNG filling station in Dhaka displays a ‘No CNG Gas Available’ notice as a disruption in LNG supply triggers gas shortages, forcing some stations to suspend sales today. Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
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A CNG filling station in Dhaka displays a ‘No CNG Gas Available’ notice as a disruption in LNG supply triggers gas shortages, forcing some stations to suspend sales today. Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
Highlights:
- LNG terminal fault cuts national gas supply.
- CNG drivers spend hours in queues as stations run dry.
- Low pressure disrupts factories in Brahmanbaria, Narayanganj.
- Repairs under way, FSRU may resume operations soon.
A fire-related technical fault at the Excelerate Energy-operated floating LNG terminal off Moheshkhali has reduced gas supply to the national grid, triggering a severe shortage in Dhaka and other parts of the country.
The impact was particularly visible at CNG filling stations, where drivers were seen waiting for hours as low pressure slowed refuelling and forced some stations to suspend sales.
In Dhaka, long queues of private cars, CNG-run auto-rickshaws, pickups and other gas-powered vehicles formed at filling stations in Moghbazar, Sat Rasta, Mirpur and Paribagh yesterday.
Drivers said they had to wait between two and six hours, with many moving from one station to another in search of gas.
Several stations in Tejgaon, Malibagh and Motijheel temporarily stopped selling CNG, putting up “No gas” notices at their entrances.
Driver Md Kamal Uddin said he had been waiting at a Malibagh station since around 3am before being told later that gas would no longer be available there.
After visiting several stations, he eventually managed to refuel in Moghbazar.
“I have been on the road since early morning. I have only just got gas. Now I will see if I can go out and earn some fares,” he said.
Asad, an operator at Anudip Filling Station in Moghbazar, said gas pressure had remained low for several days, slowing refuelling.
A long line of CNG auto-rickshaws stretches down the street, waiting in a hours-long queue near a filling station to refuel. Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
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A long line of CNG auto-rickshaws stretches down the street, waiting in a hours-long queue near a filling station to refuel. Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
Pickup driver Shah Alam said he had waited more than four hours the previous day but received only a small amount of gas.
“Before, I could almost fill the tank at one go. Now, even after waiting so long, I get only a little gas. It wastes time and reduces my income,” he said.
At a Mirpur station, auto-rickshaw driver Rabiul Islam said he had been waiting since morning without getting gas.
“If I cannot drive, how will I pay the daily deposit to the vehicle owner? It is becoming difficult to run the family,” he said.
Low pressure hits Brahmanbaria stations
The shortage has also hit Brahmanbaria, where long queues formed at filling stations as low pressure prevented vehicles from getting enough gas.
Bakhrabad Gas Distribution Company Limited Deputy General Manager Engineer Md Shafiqul Haque said the company supplies five filling stations in the district, with a combined daily allocation of 50,000 cubic metres of gas, although demand is higher.
“Despite the demand, we cannot supply more gas. The current shortage has worsened because of the disruption in LNG supply,” he said.
At Sopan Filling Station in Sarail, Engineer Golam Rabbani said around 12-15 psi pressure was needed for normal refuelling, but the station was receiving only around 1-2 psi, at times falling close to zero.
“The low pressure is creating long queues and preventing vehicles from taking the amount of gas they need,” he added.
CNG-run auto-rickshaw driver Md Yasin said he joined the queue at Sopan Filling Station around 11:45am but did not receive gas until about 3:30pm.
“Even after waiting nearly four hours, I could get only Tk155 worth of gas because of the low pressure,” he said.
Another auto-rickshaw driver, Akkas Mia, said gas was generally available at night and early in the morning, while pressure remained low for much of the day.
“Half the day goes by waiting in line. The gas we get is not enough for more than two trips,” he said, adding that the low-pressure problem had persisted for about a week.
A CNG auto-rickshaw driver waits at a filling station in Dhaka as long queues and low gas pressure delay refuelling following a disruption in LNG supply today. Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
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A CNG auto-rickshaw driver waits at a filling station in Dhaka as long queues and low gas pressure delay refuelling following a disruption in LNG supply today. Photo: Rajib Dhar/TBS
Gas shortage hits Narayanganj, leaving CNG drivers waiting and factories struggling
The gas shortage has also hit Narayanganj, where long queues have formed at CNG filling stations, and industrial units are struggling to maintain production due to low pressure.
One driver said he spent two to three hours in queues but could get only Tk100 worth of gas, which was not enough to make even a long trip.
Tushar Ahmed, manager of Fatullah Dyeing and Calendaring, said his factory needed gas pressure of 25 PSI to run smoothly, but had been receiving only 2 to 3 PSI since yesterday (22 July).
“Even if we receive at least 18 PSI, we can keep the factory running. But with only 2 to 3 PSI, production has almost stopped. We can barely keep the boiler running,” he added.
Mohammad Hatem, president of the Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), said the disruption was caused by a fault in an LNG pipeline in Moheskhali, Cox’s Bazar.
“The problem was supposed to be fixed yesterday, but gas supply to the Narayanganj, Narsingdi and Dhaka belt has still not returned to normal. The available supply is not enough to keep production running,” he said.
Energy and Mineral Resources Division Secretary Mohammad Saiful Islam said a fire at the Excelerate Energy-operated FSRU damaged cables and a boiler, disrupting gas supply from the terminal.
He said a UK expert team was assessing the damage and working to restore the facility.
“What we have learned is that the Excelerate FSRU could be operational by tomorrow or the following day,” he said.
Energy and Mineral Resources Division Joint Secretary Monir Hossain Chowdhury said the necessary replacement parts were available and repairs were under way.
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