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Bangladesh's liquefied natural gas (LNG) re-gasification reached its highest level ever on Monday as the regular berthing of LNG tankers to the floating storage and regasification units (FSRUs) resumed, following last week's rough weather in the Bay of Bengal.
The country's LNG re-gasification surged to 1,050 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) on the day, driven by the increased volume of LNG supply, according to official data.
The previous highest LNG re-gasification was recorded on March 18 this year, when the country re-gasified around 1,022 mmcfd of LNG.
However, LNG re-gasification dropped as low as 558 mmcfd on May 30, when berthing of LNG vessels was disrupted due to a low over the Northwest Bay and adjoining areas that intensified into a depression.
At least a couple of LNG tankers were kept anchored at the pilot boarding station (PBS), around 10-12 kilometers from the FSRUs, due to rough sea conditions in the Bay of Bengal last week.
The country's overall natural gas output is currently hovering around 2,889 mmcfd, boosted by the increased LNG re-gasification volume, according to Petrobangla data as of Monday.
Natural gas supply to industries increased significantly as overall output ramped up, Petrobangla Chairman Md Rezanur Rahman told The Financial Express on Tuesday.
He expected LNG re-gasification to continue exceeding 1,000 mmcfd until August, allowing industries to receive more gas during the period.
To meet rising demand, Petrobangla has increased LNG purchases from the spot market.
The LNG tankers carrying gas from Oman's OQ Trading and Gunvor Singapore Pte Ltd - which had been held at the PBS - completed berthing and ship-to-ship LNG transfers on Sunday.
Another scheduled LNG vessel arrived on June 1 and completed ship-to-ship transfer by Monday, pushing re-gasification to the record level.
Each of these LNG cargoes carried around 3.36 million British thermal units (MMBtu) and delivered LNG to one of the two FSRUs near Moheshkhali Island.
Azizjst@yahoo.com