Sylhet, June 13 (V7N) – Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan today unequivocally stated that the Bangladesh government will not be providing new gas connections to households. Going further, he indicated a desire to cut existing residential gas supplies to curb wastage.

"There is no possibility of providing gas connections to residences. If I had the opportunity, I would have turned off the gas connections to all houses in Dhaka," Khan remarked, responding to a question after inspecting Kailashtila-7 and Sylhet-10 gas wells in Golapganj Upazila, Sylhet.

The adviser emphasized that a "huge amount of gas is being wasted" due to pipeline supply to households. He argued that "when industries and factories are not getting enough gas, it is inappropriate to provide gas connections to residences. To prevent this wastage, gas connections to households should be closed." He reiterated his stance, stating, "If I had the opportunity, I would disconnect gas supply of households in Dhaka as well."

Addressing the long-standing demand from Sylhet residents for residential gas connections, Khan announced that the government plans to initiate the supply of cylinder-based Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) at subsidized prices as an alternative to pipeline gas.

Khan highlighted the challenge of declining domestic gas production, noting that it is "decreasing by about 200 million cubic feet every year." This decline is necessitating increased imports of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). He added that efforts are underway to boost local production to reduce import dependency.


During his visit, the adviser was accompanied by additional secretary of Energy Division M Khalid Ahmed, Petrobangla chairman Rehsanul Islam, Bapex managing director M Soheb Ahmed, additional secretary Monir Hossain, and officials from Kailashtila Gas Field and Plant.

Currently, the Kailashtila-7 and Sylhet-10 gas wells jointly supply 16 million cubic feet of gas to the national grid daily. The adviser's inspection tour also included the Kailashtila-7 gas field, BAPEX's Rig Bijoy-12, the prepared rig pad for workover at Kailashtila-1 well, and the Kailashtila Metering and Separation Terminal Plant.

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