Dhaka, Nov 04 (V7N)- Gas pressure across Bangladesh is expected to remain low for four consecutive days starting Wednesday due to maintenance work at a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal. However, Petrobangla has assured consumers that gas supply will not be completely suspended in any area of the country.

According to Petrobangla, the country's daily gas demand stands at approximately 3,800 million cubic feet, while the current supply is around 2,500 million cubic feet. This leaves a daily shortfall of nearly 1,300 million cubic feet.

Of the total supply, approximately 920 million cubic feet comes from imported LNG.

The imported LNG is supplied to the national gas grid through two floating storage and regasification terminals operated by US-based Excelerate Energy and local company Summit LNG.

Summit LNG has undertaken maintenance work at its terminal from early November. The maintenance operation is scheduled to continue for four days, including Friday and Saturday. As a result, LNG supply to the national grid is expected to decrease by approximately 320 million cubic feet per day.

Md. Shoeb, Director (Operations and Mines) of Petrobangla, said the maintenance work would temporarily reduce the available gas supply but would not result in a complete shutdown.

He explained that around 320 million cubic feet of gas would remain unavailable during the maintenance period, while the national grid would continue receiving approximately 2,250 million cubic feet of gas daily.

Consequently, consumers in different parts of the country may experience reduced gas pressure, particularly during peak consumption hours.

In a press release issued on November 1, Petrobangla had already informed consumers that gas pressure would remain low from Wednesday through Saturday.

However, rumours circulating on social media suggested that gas supply would be completely suspended across the country from Wednesday. Petrobangla has dismissed those claims, urging consumers not to panic.

Md. Shoeb reiterated that there was no possibility of a complete gas supply shutdown and advised consumers not to be misled by misleading information.

Regarding the completion of the maintenance work, he said it was difficult to provide a definite assurance about the schedule until gas supply was restored to the transmission lines.

Meanwhile, Petrobangla said the government had taken necessary initiatives to increase domestic natural gas production and improve the country's overall supply situation.

END/SMA/AJ