Technical fault at Moheshkhali terminal triggers nationwide gas supply crisis
A critical technical failure at a floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Maheshkhali has triggered a significant decline in gas supply across Bangladesh, leaving households, industries, and power plants grappling with severe shortages. The disruption, which has forced a sharp drop in transmission pressure, has left major urban centers, including the capital city of Dhaka, facing acute energy instability.
According to Petrobangla, the state-owned oil, gas, and mineral corporation, the country relies on two floating terminals in Maheshkhali to process imported LNG for the national grid. Prior to the incident, these facilities were collectively supplying between 1 billion and 1.05 billion cubic feet of gas daily. Following the malfunction, that output has plunged to below 600 million cubic feet. Given that imported LNG accounts for roughly 35 to 40 percent of the nation’s total daily supply, the sudden contraction has created an immediate and widespread deficit.
The impact of the shortfall is being felt across multiple sectors. Beyond the inconvenience to residential customers who are struggling to maintain gas pressure for cooking, the disruption threatens to throttle industrial output. Furthermore, reduced gas availability is expected to strain electricity production, as several power plants depend on a steady fuel supply to maintain grid stability.
Titas Gas Transmission and Distribution PLC, the primary supplier for Dhaka and surrounding areas, has issued a public notice expressing regret for the situation. The company confirmed that the technical failure at the Maheshkhali terminal has resulted in a loss of approximately 450 million cubic feet of gas daily. Titas officials warned that all classes of consumers under their network should expect severe low-pressure conditions until the necessary repairs are completed and the supply chain is restored to its full capacity.
