Chattogram reels from gas crisis as LNG offloading stalls

A gas crisis has gripped several areas of Chattogram city due to the inability to unload liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the floating terminal in the Bay of Bengal in adverse weather.

The gas shortage has affected residential and commercial consumers alike, and led to reduced traffic on the roads.

The crisis began on Wednesday and caused a drop in gas supply across several residential areas in the city.

While some neighbourhoods experienced low pressure, most were left without gas.

Although supply resumed briefly after midnight, pressure dropped again by early Thursday morning, and by 8am, many areas had no supply at all.

As a result, many residents were unable to cook and had to rely on restaurants for meals.

A statement issued by Petrobangla on Wednesday night said that due to severe weather, the Floating Storage Regasification Unit (FSRU) at Maheshkhali could not continue berthing LNG cargoes, significantly reducing LNG supply to the national grid.

“As a result, areas under Karnaphuli Gas Distribution Company Limited and Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC are experiencing low gas pressure. Berthing will resume as soon as weather conditions improve.”

Petrobangla has expressed regret for the temporary inconvenience.

Meanwhile, many CNG filling stations in the city have remained closed due to the gas shortage. The few stations still operating have seen long queues of vehicles. With no gas available, many drivers have taken their vehicles off the road.

Md Halim, a CNG-powered autorickshaw driver, told bdnews24.com that he had tried to refuel at stations in Kadamtali, Tigerpass, and Jhautala Rail Gate, but was unsuccessful.

He said only one filling station in Alongkar was supplying gas, but set a Tk 100 limit.

On Thursday, Aminur Rahman, general manager (Operations) of Karnaphuli Gas Distribution, told bdnews24.com: “We need 280 million cubic feet of gas to maintain normal supply. Since we didn’t receive that amount yesterday, the pressure dropped slightly.”

“This crisis has been caused by rough weather. No LNG ship has been able to berth for the past two days. One ship has managed to dock today. We hope the situation will improve by this evening,” he said.