Bangladesh has found a new natural gas reserve in its southern coastal district of Bhola at a time when the country is concentrating on import of liquefied natural gas (LNG).

A total of 600 billion cubic feet of gas (bcf) has been found in Bheduria union, Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam told reporters at Bangladesh Secretariat today.

It would be the 27th gas reserve in the country. In Bhola, this would contribute to the total 1.5 trillion cubic feet (tcf) gas that it holds, the cabinet secretary said without specifying any further.

The news comes at a time when households are complaining of dwindling gas supplies and businesses doing the same. However, LNG import is expected to start off this year which might drive gas prices further up for commercial and domestic use.