Petrobangla has raised concerns over the illegal use of natural gas in workers’ housing facilities near industrial units, warning that gas theft is undermining efforts to ensure reliable supplies to factories amid persistent shortages.
The state-owned gas corporation raised the issue at the first meeting of a government-formed high-powered committee involving representatives of four major trade bodies — the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), Bangladesh Knitwear Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BKMEA), Bangladesh Textile Mills Association (BTMA) and Bangladesh Terry Towel & Linen Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BTTLMEA).
Petrobangla Chairman Md Abdul Mannan chaired the meeting as the committee’s convener, while its Director of Operations and Mines, Md Shoyeb, served as member-secretary.
“We have no problem supplying gas to industries smoothly, but our main concern is to stop the pilferage of costly natural gas through illegal use in workers’ housing facilities established by industrial units,” an official attended at the meeting told Just Energy News.
He said Petrobangla had urged industrial owners to take measures to prevent illegal gas consumption in nearby housing facilities so that factories could receive a more reliable supply.
According to Petrobangla sources, at least 500 industrial units operate in the area between Chandra and Jadavpur, which has been identified as a major area of gas pilferage.
At the meeting, business representatives called for adequate gas pressure on both the eastern and western sides of Mawna. They also sought a more balanced distribution of gas between the 10-inch pipeline from Tongi to Jadavpur and the 20-inch pipeline serving the Joydevpur–Elenga corridor.
In response, Petrobangla asked the business representatives to submit separate written proposals outlining measures to improve gas supplies to industries.
Industrial demand adds to supply pressures
The concern comes as captive power plants and industrial facilities continue to account for a substantial share of Bangladesh’s limited natural gas supplies.
Gas consumption by the two sectors combined rose from about 945 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) in the 2023–24 financial year to around 995 mmcfd in 2025–26, according to the figures provided.
Consumption by captive power plants increased from approximately 491 mmcfd to 515 mmcfd over the period, while industrial consumption rose from around 454 mmcfd to 480 mmcfd.
Captive power plants generate electricity for individual factories, allowing them to maintain production without relying entirely on the national grid. Reliable gas supplies are particularly important for manufacturing industries that require uninterrupted power.
However, rising demand is adding to the challenge of allocating gas among power plants, industries, fertiliser factories and other consumers.
Bangladesh has increasingly relied on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) to supplement domestic production. But LNG imports expose the country to international price volatility and foreign currency pressures, making efficient use of available gas an important economic and energy policy priority.