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The government is expecting to import one more cargo of spot liquefied natural gas (LNG) in early July to meet the country's natural gas demand during the upcoming monsoon.
State-run Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Ltd (RPGCL) aims to purchase the spot LNG cargo for July 2-3 delivery window, a senior RPGCL official told The Financial Express on Monday.
The volume of the spot LNG cargo is around 3.36 million British thermal unit (MMBtu).
The bid winner will deliver the LNG cargoes on Moheshkhali island in the Bay of Bengal, with options to discharge the cargo at either of the country's two floating storage re-gasification units located on the Moheshkhali island.
If this tender becomes successful, the country's buying of spot LNG cargoes in early July will be two in total.
The country might seek to buy more spot LNG cargoes in late July, said the official.
Bangladesh has so far purchased three spot LNG cargoes for June deliveries.
RPGCL is a wholly owned subsidiary of state-run Petrobangla and looks into LNG trades in Bangladesh.
Bangladesh recently awarded one spot LNG cargo in a buy tender to Gunvor Singapore Pte Ltd for June 26-27 delivery window at $12.18 per MMBtu.
The country previously awarded one July 2-3 delivery window spot LNG cargo to Vitol Asia Pte Ltd at $11.57 per MMBtu.
Bangladesh currently imports LNG from Qatar Energy and OQ Trading international under long term deals and purchases LNG also from spot market to re-gasify LNG in its two operational floating, storage and re-gasification units (FSRUs) having the total capacity of 1.10 billion cubic feet per day (Bcfd).
The country has been reeling from an acute energy crisis as its natural gas output is depleting.
Bangladesh has been rationing gas supply to industries, power plants and other gas-guzzling industries to cope with the mounting demand.
azizjst@yahoo.com