Despite all preparations, supply of Liquid Natural Gas, LNG, to the national grid has not been possible. Gas supply companies, GTCL, and RPGCL are pointing fingers at each other.
As a result, deep suspicion has taken place over the possibility of LNG supply to the national grid this year.
Ministry sources say that the reserve LNG in Excelerate’s ship in Moheshkhali is providing 300 million cubic feet of LNG to Chattogram daily.
The supply cannot be increased since the ship does not have enough reserve gas. It’s believed that an LNG carrying ship will come from Qatar on 14 December but neither GTCL or RPCL can confirm if that gas can be given to the national grid or not.
GTCL official Sushil Kumar Sarkar, says, “Our task was to bring LNG to the national grid and we have done the necessary work.”
The duty to supply is on RPGCL and they said that LNG will come on 14 or 15 December though when the gas will be supplied has not been specified, he added.
“Though the current supply is 300 cubic feet, once the LNG comes from Qatar it will be 500 cubic feet.”
An RPGCL official said: “it’s not certain if the new gas brought from Qatar can be added to the national grid or not.”
On 24 April, the floating regasification unit was brought from Qatar by Excelerate Energy and LNG supply began on 18 August, but since construction of pipeline was not complete, the gas is only being supplied to Chattogram.
To add gas to the national grid, Anwara-Fouzdarhat pipeline project was undertaken. The work of the pipeline to cross Karnaphuli River finished in October.
It’s found that ministry of energy is working to provide 500 cubic feet, though currently, it’s limited to 300 cubic feet.