Version:
The daily gas deficit in the country stands at one billion cubic feet
According to the Minister of State for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, Nasrul Hamid. In response to a question posed by M. Abdul Latif, a member of the government party in the national parliament, Hamid revealed this information during a question and answer session chaired by Speaker Shirin Sharmin Chowdhury.
Hamid explained that the daily gas extraction in the country is currently around 250 million cubic feet, while the demand stands at 4 billion cubic feet per day. To bridge this gap, approximately 800 to 900 million cubic feet of liquefied natural gas (LNG) is imported and supplied to the national grid alongside domestically produced gas. Despite these efforts, there remains a shortfall of around 1 billion cubic feet in meeting the daily demand.
To address the current shortage and future demands, Hamid highlighted ongoing initiatives, including 48 well-drilling activities scheduled for completion by 2025. Successful implementation of these projects is anticipated to add an average of 618 million cubic feet of gas to the national grid. As of now, 10 wells have been drilled and completed, contributing 118 million cubic feet of gas per day to the grid.
Hamid further mentioned that the capacity of one of the two floating LNG terminals has recently been increased to 100 million cubic feet per day, raising the total LNG supply capacity to 1,100 million cubic feet per day. Projections for long-term gas production up to the 2040-41 financial year have been made, considering various factors such as gas exploration, production from domestic fields, unconventional resource extraction, sea exploration, LNG imports, and pipeline gas imports.
According to the projections, it is expected that gas supply will reach 4,608 million cubic feet per day in the 2030-31 financial year and 5,249 million cubic feet per day in the 2040-41 financial year.
Responding to another question, Hamid noted that the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) imports 50% of refined fuel oil through government-to-government (G2G) agreements and the remaining 50% through international open tenders. Currently, BPC imports refined fuel oil on a G2G basis from state-owned companies in six countries, including India, China, Indonesia, Thailand, the UAE, and Malaysia.
In addressing import dependence on crude oil, Hamid mentioned that the Eastern Refinery Limited has planned to establish a new refinery with double the current capacity of 3 million metric tons. The project is set to be implemented by 2028-29.
Additionally, responding to a question from Independent Member of Parliament Saiful Islam, Hamid stated that the country has 141 thermal power plants with a combined capacity of 23,159 MW. A total of 2,656 MW of thermal power is being imported from India. As part of the plan, 18 thermal power plants with a capacity of 11,303 MW are under construction and in various stages of the tender process.
