Bangladesh’s gas supply has fallen sharply after rough weather in the Bay of Bengal disrupted the transfer of imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) from a carrier to the Summit LNG floating terminal off Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar.
The disruption has reduced the availability of regasified LNG (RLNG), putting further pressure on the country’s already tight gas supply.
LNG supply to the national grid fell to about 593 million cubic feet a day (mmcfd), bringing total gas supply down to around 2,212 mmcfd, compared with about 2,591 mmcfd on 21 September, according to officials.
The decline began on Monday, with supply continuing to fall as adverse weather prevented the LNG carrier from safely completing the ship-to-ship (STS) transfer operation.
A joint assessment by the parties involved in the operation decided at 4.15pm on Thursday to postpone the mooring of the LNG carrier LNGC Pacific Success because of prevailing weather conditions.
The vessel had approached the floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) in accordance with the planned STS operation. However, wind speeds, gusts and wave conditions were considered outside the safe criteria for mooring and cargo operations.
Weather observations showed south-easterly winds of Beaufort Force 6–7, with gusts of up to 32 knots, while wave and swell heights were estimated at 3–3.5 metres. Forecasts indicated gusts could reach 39 knots, with sustained winds of up to 32 knots.
The regasification rate at the Summit LNG Terminal fell to zero at 5.24pm, according to officials.
“We made two attempts to connect the ship for ship-to-ship transfer at the Summit LNG terminal, but both failed because the wind speed was too high in the Bay of Bengal to safely berth the LNG carrier,” Petrobangla director of operations Md Shoyeb told Just Energy News.
He said another attempt would be made on Friday morning, subject to favourable weather conditions.
The LNG carrier is currently waiting at anchorage for the weather to improve and for a revised STS plan from the terminal, according to the operational update.
Petrobangla has said the temporary disruption was caused by adverse weather and that gas supplies are expected to improve once conditions become suitable for the LNG transfer operation.
Bangladesh increasingly relies on imported LNG to supplement declining domestic gas production and meet demand from power plants, industries, fertiliser producers and other consumers. Any interruption in LNG unloading or regasification can therefore have a direct impact on overall gas availability.