Country’s gas output has come down to 2633.5MMBtu as Summit’s floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) damage severely by a broken stray pontoon steel structure weighing hundreds of tons during the recent cyclone Remal, said officials concern.
After the incident on May 27, 2024, the gas supply has cut around 500mmbtu to grid that pushed rationing in supply of gas over a week.
“We have already sent back three LNG ships that have purchased at low costs due to inoperative of the Summit’s LNG,” energy and mineral resources division (EMRD) secretary Md Nurul Alam told the just energy news on Wednesday.
The government has allowed to procure one cargo LNG from M/S Gunvor Singapore Pte Ltd. Singapore on Tuesday with around TK 601.64 crore. Per MMBtu LNG would cost USD$12.96 against the previous price of $10.30.
“During the cyclone Remal, a broken stray steel structure weighing hundreds of tons banged the Summit LNG Terminal, causing significant damage. The impact sheared the vessel’s outer hull, approximately one metre below the waterline, leading to water ingress into the ballast tanks,” Summit Corporation managing director Faisal Khan told the just energy news.
Despite the severe monsoon conditions, the crew, operators, and owners of the vessel, along with the Summit team, worked tirelessly day and night to secure the vessel and its LNG cargo, he said. “Their bravery and relentless efforts successfully prevented the loss of the cargo.”
According to assessments by Bureau Veritas, certification societies and international inspectors, the vessel is now ready to discharge all onboard LNG before proceeding to a dry dock in either Singapore or the Middle East for necessary repairs, he claimed.
This unfortunate incident was mitigated by the grace of Almighty and the hard work of Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited (RPGCL), customer Petrobangla, the Summit LNG team, our port service operators PSA Marine, and the vessel provider Excelerate, he added.
Due to their diligence, a major accident was averted, he said, adding, “The Summit LNG Terminal is expected to return to Bangladesh after repairs, hopefully within three weeks.”
Officials of the Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) said the supply of gas to feed the power plants rationing after the suspend of the Summit’s LNG.
Besides, production in spinning, dyeing and weaving mills in the Tongi, Gazipur, Maona and Sreepur also drastically fall thanks to low gas pressure after the cyclone Remal.
