Staff Reporter:
Bangladesh currently has around 136,000 metric tonnes of fuel oil in reserve, authorities said, amid growing concerns over global energy supplies due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
Chairman of the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), Md Rezanur Rahman, disclosed the information while speaking to journalists at the BPC headquarters in Karwan Bazar on Tuesday.
He said the country’s existing stock of fuel includes diesel sufficient for 14 days, octane for 28 days, petrol for 15 days, furnace oil for 93 days and jet fuel for 55 days.
To ensure uninterrupted supply, the BPC has already completed letters of credit (LCs) for seven fuel-carrying vessels as of Monday, he added.
Rahman also said the authorities are considering alternative sources of fuel imports in view of the evolving war situation in the Middle East. However, he assured that the current stock is adequate and there is no immediate risk of a price hike.
According to officials concerned, while there is no immediate shortage of refined fuel, disruptions in the import of crude oil could create pressure on the supply chain.
An analysis of BPC’s reserve data suggests that existing fuel stocks could last between 14 and 21 days, depending on consumption levels. Meanwhile, two additional oil tankers have arrived at Chattogram port, with unloading operations already underway for one of them.
Energy sector officials warned that if the Middle East crisis intensifies further, it could potentially affect Bangladesh’s fuel import supply in the coming weeks.
