Dhaka: Bangladesh’s gas crisis has entered its fourth week, with shortages continuing despite significant spending on liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports. The situation has raised fresh questions over procurement decisions, delivery schedules and the government’s overall strategy for managing the country’s energy supply.

The crisis began on July 21 and, according to a BDDigest report published August 17, had continued for 26 days. Although Accelerate Energy’s floating LNG terminal was reportedly ready to supply gas, no new LNG cargo was expected until August 23, creating concerns that the shortage could worsen in the meantime.

Procurement decisions under scrutiny

Energy Department officials cited in the report have questioned the decision to procure six LNG cargoes through the Direct Purchase Method (DPM). According to those officials, concerns over the timing and delivery of these cargoes contributed to the current supply disruption.

Officials reportedly warned that some of the previously purchased cargoes might not arrive according to schedule. Against that backdrop, a proposal was submitted on August 6 to purchase additional LNG from BP Singapore through the international spot market for deliveries on August 17 and 24.

However, the proposal was not approved by the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase. Instead, the committee reportedly instructed authorities to proceed with the six cargoes already procured through the earlier direct-purchase arrangement.

Emergency LNG purchases now being considered

With the supply gap continuing, the government has reportedly moved toward an emergency procurement strategy.

Authorities have invited tenders for five additional LNG cargoes from the international spot market in an effort to ease the shortage. An emergency meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Government Purchase was also scheduled to discuss the matter.

The latest development comes as Bangladesh is already facing significant pressure on its energy system. Recent reporting shows that the country’s gas supply has fallen well below demand, affecting electricity generation, industries, households and CNG stations.

Why is the shortage continuing?

The LNG procurement controversy comes on top of operational difficulties at Bangladesh’s floating LNG terminals.

One terminal suffered a technical disruption in July, reducing gas injection into the national grid by around 450 million cubic feet per day. Bangladesh’s daily gas demand is estimated at roughly 3.8–4 billion cubic feet, while available supply has remained substantially lower.

More recently, bad weather prevented an LNG tanker from berthing at Summit’s floating terminal, further reducing LNG availability. At one point, LNG supply to the national grid fell below 300 million cubic feet per day, compared with roughly 1,000 mmcfd normally supplied by the country’s two floating terminals.

Millions spent, but consumers still suffer

The government has continued arranging additional LNG shipments to protect the country’s energy supply. Five more LNG cargoes containing around 16 million MMBtu were secured for August, according to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha.

Yet the continuing shortage has raised a fundamental question: why has spending on additional LNG failed to prevent a prolonged gas crisis?

The BDDigest report attributes the situation to what officials describe as problematic procurement decisions and alleged political lobbying. These are allegations reported by BDDigest and should not be treated as independently established facts.

The report argues that without accountability and better long-term planning, Bangladesh could face similar energy disruptions repeatedly.

For ordinary consumers, however, the immediate concern is much simpler: when will gas supplies return to normal?

With industries struggling, CNG stations facing shortages and power generation affected by inadequate gas supplies, the LNG procurement crisis has evolved into a broader economic and public-service challenge.

Until additional cargoes arrive and LNG regasification capacity returns to normal, Bangladesh’s energy sector is likely to remain under significant pressure.