Gas supply from Excelerate Energy’s floating LNG terminal (FSRU) in Maheshkhali, Cox’s Bazar, was suspended again on Friday afternoon due to a technical fault, raising concerns that the ongoing gas crisis could worsen.
The supply was halted around 4:00pm and had not resumed by 9:30pm. Before the shutdown, the terminal was supplying around 250–300 million cubic feet (MMcf) of LNG to the national grid daily.
The terminal had remained shut since a fire on July 21, reducing gas supplies to the national grid and worsening shortages.
The disruption affected household cooking, industrial production and power generation, while long queues formed at CNG filling stations.
The terminal was partially reopened on August 6, with gas supply gradually restored using a boiler. However, operations were disrupted again within days due to the latest technical fault.
Officials warned that a prolonged shutdown could further widen the LNG supply shortfall to the national grid.
Meanwhile, gas supply from Summit’s LNG terminal was suspended the previous day due to rough seas.
Although supply resumed on Friday evening, Summit was initially supplying only around 110 MMcf. The company was expected to increase the supply later in the night, but officials said it would not be enough to make up the shortfall.
The gas shortage and resulting public hardship are therefore likely to persist, they said.