Foreign experts have been called in to inspect Bangladesh's fault-hit floating liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal after local engineers failed to identify the cause of the technical failure or restore operations, prolonging a gas supply disruption that has affected industries, power plants and CNG filling stations across the country.
The specialists, appointed by Excelerate Energy, the US company operating the floating storage and regasification unit (FSRU) off Moheshkhali, are expected to inspect the facility on Thursday evening. Their assessment will determine the cause of the fault, the extent of the damage, the estimated repair period and when normal gas supplies can resume.
Mohammad Nasir Uddin, General Manager (LNG) and Head of Installations at Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited (RPGCL), said local engineers had thoroughly examined the terminal but were unable to identify the fault or repair it.
"That is why Excelerate Energy, the US company operating the terminal, is bringing in foreign experts," he said.
He added that the FSRU had never experienced this type of technical failure before, making it impossible to determine the repair timeline until the inspection is completed.
Nasir also said it was too early to determine whether the terminal operator would be held responsible.
"After the experts complete their assessment, liability and damages will be determined in accordance with the terms of the contract with the operator. Whether the operator will have to pay compensation, face any penalties, or bear the repair costs will also be decided under the contract," he said.
The FSRU plays a critical role in Bangladesh's energy system by receiving imported LNG cargoes, storing the fuel and converting it back into natural gas before supplying it to the national grid. Any interruption to its operations immediately reduces the amount of regasified LNG available for consumers.
The shutdown has already cut gas supply to the national grid by around 450 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd), according to Joint Secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division Monir Hossain Chowdhury. The shortfall has reduced gas pressure in many areas, disrupting industrial production, gas-fired power plants, CNG filling stations and other consumers. Several filling stations have reported inadequate gas supplies, leading to long queues and delays for motorists.
Speaking at a policy dialogue titled Bangladesh's Energy Security and Transition on Wednesday, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Iqbal Hassan Mahmood said an LNG carrier was preparing to berth at the terminal when a fire broke out. The vessel was moved away before a more serious incident occurred, preventing what he described as a "major accident".
He noted that Bangladesh currently relies on only two operational FSRUs for LNG imports, meaning the loss of one terminal has placed significant pressure on the country's gas supply system.
The adviser also acknowledged that while Bangladesh has expanded electricity generation capacity over the years, fuel supply infrastructure has not developed at the same pace. He said insufficient domestic gas exploration has increased dependence on imported LNG, while alternative import infrastructure remains limited.
The Energy Division said it is prioritising gas supplies to essential and strategic sectors while repair work continues. Officials added that although the immediate cause of the disruption is the technical fault at the FSRU, its wider impact reflects Bangladesh's growing reliance on imported LNG and the need to strengthen domestic gas production and energy infrastructure to improve long-term energy security.
