No more pipeline gas connections to domestic consumers; Power, industry government’s preference for gas supply: PM’s advisor
Dhaka, Apr 5 (UNB) - The government’s top functionaries in the Power and Energy sector on Tuesday said that no more new gas connections will be provided to the domestic consumers.
The deficit in gas supply is not coming down despite the increase in production, they said at a press briefing at Petrobangla office
Speaking at the briefing, Petreobangla chairman Dr Hossain Mansur claimed that the country’s gas supply increased by 284 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) in last two years due to various initiatives.
However, in his presentation, the augmentation in gas production was mentioned to have happened between January 2008 and December 2010.
Dr Hossain Mansur projected that the gap between the gas supply and demand will widen in future. The statement he presented in the briefing showed that the gas shortage will be 1,584 MMCFD in 2015 while it is 500 MMCFD at present.
The country’s present gas production is about 2000 MMCFD against a demand of 2500 MMCFD.
About the domestic gas connection, Energy Secretary Mesbahuddin said tThe government has a policy decision not to provide any new pipeline gas connection to domestic consumers. This decision will continue.
Instead, he said, the domestic gas consumers will be encouraged to use the bottled gas known as LPG (liquefied petroleum gas).
The Energy Secretary was supported by Prime Minister’s Advisor Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury who said that under the present situation, it is tough to provide any new gas connection to domestic consumers.
He also said that in the case of new gas supply, the government’s first priority is to feed the power plants and then the industries.
Against the backdrop of nagging gas and power crises, all kinds of new gas connections to consumers remained suspended since the middle of last year. As a result, thousands of industrial, residential and commercial consumers, and also power plants are waiting for gas connections.
State-owned Petrobangla arranged the press conference to brief about the overall situation in the energy sector and the government’s achievements in the last two years and four months.
State Minister for Power and Energy Mohammad Enamul Haque also spoke at the briefing.
Petrobangla chairman said the country’s gas production will increase by 2578 MMCFD in 2015 as the government has undertaken huge short, medium and long-term programmes.
Under the programmes, 115 MMCFD gas will come from short-term efforts while 500 MMCFD from LNG import and 1285 MMCFD from development of different wells at gas fields under medium-term efforts until 2013.
Similarly, another 680 MMCFD gas will be added to the national gas grid from development of different wells at gas fields by 2015.
Dr Hossain Mansur said at present, four rigs are working at different gas fields to improve gas production.
Replying to a question, PM’s advisor Dr Tawfiq Elahi said that many projects in gas sector are being delayed because of the donors’ lengthy bureaucratic process. “If we are blamed for 10 percent of delay in any project, the donors should be blamed 100 percent.”
About coal policy, he said the government is studying many things before formulating a coal policy. “That’s why it’s getting delayed.”
Energy Secretary Mesbahuddin said preparation is being made to move for inviting fresh international bids for the onshore fields. “But the Energy Ministry is now waiting for a policy decision from the highest level of the government on the issue.”
State Minister Enamul Haque said the government is trying its best to work in line with its election manifesto to resolve the power and gas crisis.
The deficit in gas supply is not coming down despite the increase in production, they said at a press briefing at Petrobangla office
Speaking at the briefing, Petreobangla chairman Dr Hossain Mansur claimed that the country’s gas supply increased by 284 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) in last two years due to various initiatives.
However, in his presentation, the augmentation in gas production was mentioned to have happened between January 2008 and December 2010.
Dr Hossain Mansur projected that the gap between the gas supply and demand will widen in future. The statement he presented in the briefing showed that the gas shortage will be 1,584 MMCFD in 2015 while it is 500 MMCFD at present.
The country’s present gas production is about 2000 MMCFD against a demand of 2500 MMCFD.
About the domestic gas connection, Energy Secretary Mesbahuddin said tThe government has a policy decision not to provide any new pipeline gas connection to domestic consumers. This decision will continue.
Instead, he said, the domestic gas consumers will be encouraged to use the bottled gas known as LPG (liquefied petroleum gas).
The Energy Secretary was supported by Prime Minister’s Advisor Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury who said that under the present situation, it is tough to provide any new gas connection to domestic consumers.
He also said that in the case of new gas supply, the government’s first priority is to feed the power plants and then the industries.
Against the backdrop of nagging gas and power crises, all kinds of new gas connections to consumers remained suspended since the middle of last year. As a result, thousands of industrial, residential and commercial consumers, and also power plants are waiting for gas connections.
State-owned Petrobangla arranged the press conference to brief about the overall situation in the energy sector and the government’s achievements in the last two years and four months.
State Minister for Power and Energy Mohammad Enamul Haque also spoke at the briefing.
Petrobangla chairman said the country’s gas production will increase by 2578 MMCFD in 2015 as the government has undertaken huge short, medium and long-term programmes.
Under the programmes, 115 MMCFD gas will come from short-term efforts while 500 MMCFD from LNG import and 1285 MMCFD from development of different wells at gas fields under medium-term efforts until 2013.
Similarly, another 680 MMCFD gas will be added to the national gas grid from development of different wells at gas fields by 2015.
Dr Hossain Mansur said at present, four rigs are working at different gas fields to improve gas production.
Replying to a question, PM’s advisor Dr Tawfiq Elahi said that many projects in gas sector are being delayed because of the donors’ lengthy bureaucratic process. “If we are blamed for 10 percent of delay in any project, the donors should be blamed 100 percent.”
About coal policy, he said the government is studying many things before formulating a coal policy. “That’s why it’s getting delayed.”
Energy Secretary Mesbahuddin said preparation is being made to move for inviting fresh international bids for the onshore fields. “But the Energy Ministry is now waiting for a policy decision from the highest level of the government on the issue.”
State Minister Enamul Haque said the government is trying its best to work in line with its election manifesto to resolve the power and gas crisis.
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