Chattogram, April 14 (V7N) — The country’s only state-owned oil refinery, Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL), has suspended all refining operations due to a shortage of crude oil.

According to ERL sources, the shutdown came into effect on Tuesday morning (April 14), after crude oil stocks were fully exhausted. The last refining operation was carried out on Sunday afternoon (April 12).

Officials said crude oil imports have been disrupted for the past two months due to ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, which significantly affected global supply routes.

In response to the shortage, ERL had gradually reduced its refining capacity from March, lowering daily processing from around 4,500 tons to 3,500 tons. However, the depletion of reserves ultimately forced a complete halt in production.

Despite the shutdown, the Energy Division has stated that the country maintains sufficient reserves of refined petroleum products, assuring that there will be no immediate disruption in domestic fuel supply.

Authorities expressed hope that refining operations will resume once new crude oil shipments arrive in the country in May.

END/SMA/AJ