Staff Reporter:
Energy Adviser Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan on Friday clearly said that the government will not provide new gas connections to households.
“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,” he made the remark, responding to a question after visiting Kailashtila-7 and Sylhet-10 gas wells at Golapganj Upazila in Sylhet.
The adviser said a huge amount of gas is being wasted due to gas supply to households through pipelines, adding, “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.”
“If I had the opportunity, I would disconnect the gas supply of households in Dhaka as well,” the adviser said.
Regarding the long-standing demand of Sylhet residents for residential gas connections, he said that the government will take the initiative to supply cylinder-based Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) at subsidised prices instead of pipeline gas.
Khan said that gas production is decreasing by about 200 million cubic feet every year. At the same time, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) imports are being increased.
He also said that efforts are underway to increase local production against import dependency.
During the visit, additional secretary of Energy Division M Khalid Ahmed, Petrobangla chairman Rehsanul Islam, Bapex managing director M Soheb Ahmed, additional secretary Monir Hossain and officials of Kailashtila Gas Field and Plant were present.
Kailashtila-7 and Sylhet-10 gas wells are supplying 16 million cubic feet of gas to the national grid daily.
The adviser also inspected Kailashtila-7 gas field, BAPEX’s Rig Bijoy-12, and the prepared rig pad for workover at Kailashtila-1 well along with Kailashtila Metering and Separation Terminal Plant.
