By Md Akter Hossain
Bangladesh is moving steadily toward a serious energy crisis as domestic gas production continues to decline and dependence on costly imported liquefied natural gas (LNG) grows amid global uncertainty.
Over the past year, gas output from four of the five companies operating in the country has fallen, according to Petrobangla data. To bridge the widening gap between demand and supply, the Energy Department plans to import at least 115 LNG cargoes worth Tk 51,500 crore in the 2025–26 fiscal year. However, energy experts and business leaders warn that geopolitical tensions and disruptions in the global energy market could severely threaten Bangladesh’s energy security.
Currently, daily gas demand stands at 3.8 billion cubic feet, while supply is only 2.58 billion cubic feet, leaving a deficit of 1.22 billion cubic feet per day. Gas supply is also 176 million cubic feet per day lower than last year, further straining power generation, fertilizer production, and industrial operations.
The roots of the crisis date back to the tenure of the ousted Awami League government, when policymakers prioritized imports over investment in domestic exploration. That strategy has now resulted in rising energy prices, mounting fiscal pressure, and increased vulnerability to international market shocks. The situation has been compounded by recent disruptions in LPG supply, partly due to US sanctions affecting global shipping and energy trade.
An analysis of gas producers shows a troubling trend. Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Limited’s production dropped by 523 MMCM year-on-year, while Bapex recorded a 14 percent decline. US multinational Chevron—responsible for nearly half of Bangladesh’s gas supply—saw production fall by more than 1,000 MMCM in a year. Only Sylhet Gas Fields Limited registered a marginal increase.
Officials acknowledge that dwindling reserves are reducing output and that nearly 150 million cubic feet of gas is lost daily due to system inefficiencies. As a result, even new wells have failed to significantly improve overall supply.
Energy experts argue that successive governments, including the current interim administration, have failed to take decisive steps to boost local exploration and reduce import dependence. They warn that unless a sustainable, long-term strategy is implemented soon, the growing energy crisis will place immense pressure on the next elected government and pose serious risks to Bangladesh’s economic stability.
