Government to Import 11 LNG Cargoes in July

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News Desk: The government will import 11 cargoes of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) during the month of July, with a total volume of approximately 35.2 million MMBtu (Million British Thermal Units).

Speaking on the matter on Wednesday (July 1), Engineer Md. Rafiqul Islam, Director (Operations and Mines) of the Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla), said that 11 LNG cargoes have been secured for July to ensure a stable gas supply across the country.

He said the cargoes have been procured through a combination of spot market purchases, long-term contracts, and short-term contracts.

According to him, Bangladesh continues to import LNG regularly from all three sources to meet the country's growing energy demand. On average, each cargo contains approximately 3.2 million MMBtu of LNG.

Petrobangla sources said the first shipment of the imported LNG is expected to arrive in Bangladesh on July 6 or 7. Of the 11 cargoes, one has been purchased under a long-term contract, three under short-term contracts, and seven from the spot market. The remaining shipments are expected to arrive during the course of July.

Earlier, in June, Bangladesh imported a total of nine LNG cargoes through long-term and short-term contracts as well as the spot market, amounting to approximately 28.8 million MMBtu.

According to information from Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited (RPGCL), QatarEnergy, based in Qatar, and OQ Trading, the energy and commodities trading company of the Government of Oman, supply LNG to Bangladesh under long-term agreements.

In addition, OQ Trading, which also operates from the United Arab Emirates, supplies LNG to Bangladesh under a short-term contract.

The government also purchases LNG cargoes from the spot market every month, subject to approval by the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase.