Gas Supply from Two Maheshkhali Terminals Reaches 1,050 mmcfd
Gas supply from the floating LNG terminals in Maheshkhali has increased further. The two terminals were supplying up to 1,050 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) on Saturday morning, the highest in recent times. Supply had remained at around 1,000 mmcfd for more than a month.
Summit terminal resumes operations
The Summit terminal was shut down on Thursday afternoon as adverse weather disrupted the unloading of an LNG cargo. Supply began increasing after unloading resumed on Friday morning.
A Petrobangla official told Inqilab on Saturday that gas supply had been increased as LNG cargo arrivals remained on schedule. The US-based Excelerate terminal is currently supplying 500 mmcfd, while Summit Power Limited’s terminal is supplying 550 mmcfd.
The two terminals have a combined capacity of 1,050–1,100 mmcfd. Ten LNG cargoes need to be imported each month to keep them fully operational.
Adequate LNG could not be imported in recent months due to the Iran war. Vessels also failed to arrive on schedule because of complications over the Strait of Hormuz, resulting in a gas shortage. Nine cargoes were scheduled to arrive this month, of which eight have already arrived. Another cargo is scheduled to arrive on September 28.
The country’s daily gas demand is around 3,800 mmcfd, while supply had long remained between 2,650 and 2,700 mmcfd. Supply stood at 2,600 mmcfd on Wednesday but fell to 2,200 mmcfd on Thursday evening.
Imported LNG accounts for 35–40 percent of the country’s gas supply. Two floating terminals are located offshore in Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar, to regasify LNG and supply it to the national pipeline network. One is operated by Excelerate and the other by Summit Power Limited. Together, they can supply up to 1,100 mmcfd.
The increase in gas supply has improved pressure at industrial facilities, helping boost production. Gas-fired power plants are also generating more electricity, reducing load-shedding. Residential consumers are also experiencing relief.
