Experts blame import-dependent fuel supply policy for gas crisis

Speakers at a webinar today said that the country's current gas crisis is a result of the government's excessive interest in import-dependent fuel supply policy.

"In the last 15 years, much more emphasis was laid on import of LNG leaving aside the development of the local gas sector," said Maqbul-E-Elahi Chowdhury, a former member of Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission.

"We could not take proper initiatives to explore the onshore and offshore gas fields in the country," he said.

Maqbul said the philosophy of Bangabandhu was to develop the local gas sector and he proved it though taking over five gas fields from an international oil company, which now play a vital role in the country's energy security.

The webinar titled "Philosophy of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman on Energy Security, Achievement and Implementation Status" was organised by Bangladesh Energy Society. Prime Minister's Energy Advisor Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, among others, also addressed the event.

The advisor said he has been trying for the last 10 years to convince US firm ExxonMobil to invest in the country's gas sector.

"Now it has offered to invest in the country. But I don't know why ExxonMobil became interested after 10 years... It's not clear whether the firm will invest or not," he said.

Tawfiq-e-Elahi said solar and wind power could be complementary to each other.

Blasting Petrobangla's inability to increase the capacity of state-owned gas fields, eminent energy expert Dr M Tamim said foreign company Chevron took a huge initiative to increase its production capacity at Bibiyana gas field and kept the production stable since the start of its production.

"But Petrobangla failed to raise the production capacity of Titas Gas field despite its huge potentials", he added.

He also blamed the government's lack of interest in developing local gas sector which ultimately created the current crisis.