To ease the ongoing gas crisis affecting industries, the interim government has decided to invite international bids for offshore and onshore gas exploration in the coming months.
Petrobangla Chairman Zanendra Nath Sarker said offshore gas exploration tenders will be floated on December 9, while onshore exploration, including in hilly regions, will begin in March next year. The initiative aims to increase domestic gas production, reduce dependence on imported LNG, and stabilise supply for industrial consumers.
The announcement was made at a seminar titled Ways of Mitigating Energy Crisis in the Industrial Sectors held at a Dhaka hotel. Zanendra expressed optimism that the new bidding rounds would attract global energy companies, similar to past investments by multinational firms in Bangladesh’s energy sector.
Alongside exploration efforts, the government has opened liquefied natural gas imports through open tenders starting December 1. Under this system, any qualified party can import LNG from the spot market. Tenders will also be issued next month to set up new floating LNG terminals.
Power and Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan said a separate tender will be floated in December to transport newly discovered gas from Bhola to Dhaka. Although around 70 million cubic feet of gas has been found in Bhola, it remains unused due to the absence of pipeline infrastructure. Interested firms will be allowed to bring the gas to Dhaka in compressed or liquefied form.
Fouzul Kabir also said the government expects to save around Tk360 crore over six months by relaxing fuel oil import conditions. Previously, suppliers were required to own refineries, a condition that has now been removed. Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation officials confirmed that recent tenders have received significantly lower premiums, leading to projected savings.
The government also plans to float tenders next week for 30 to 40 renewable energy projects as part of its broader energy diversification strategy.
At the seminar, business leaders raised serious concerns over gas shortages, stating that many factories are operating far below capacity or shutting down entirely. Industry representatives urged the government to prioritise gas supply to industries over households and CNG vehicles.
Petrobangla officials responded by stating that the current policy focus is shifting from the power sector to industrial users, with a gradual increase in industrial gas supply expected next year. Petrobangla estimates that Bangladesh will need to import 115 LNG cargoes in 2025, with more than half secured through long-term contracts.
Experts also highlighted system losses in gas distribution and declining industrial output due to energy shortages. Calls were made for better gas distribution planning, stronger enforcement against illegal connections, and faster approval of gas well drilling projects.
The government said it aims to add around 1,500 million cubic feet of gas per day to the national grid by December next year, provided project approvals are secured in time.
