LNG as an alternative energy source
Wednesday, 9 September 2009
Engr. Khondkar Abdus Saleque
BANGLADESH'S shortage of power and gas is crippling civic life and obstructing industrial and commercial growth.
Gas-based power generation would require years of exploration to get new reserves. Resources constraints handicap the government to go for it the whole hog. And the companies in the public sector are not in a position to handle the situation for lack of technology and management skills.
Energy experts estimate that it could take at least four to five years to start using coal to diversify the energy basket. It would also take at least seven to nine years to strik off-shore oil if the exploration starts right away. But can the energy-starved Bangladesh economy wait that long. Without contingency action to tackle the situation on immediate basis, it could spell disaster for the economy awaiting growth.
LNG import could be a ready and alternative solution to the growing energy stortage. Action on war footing would yeild results in two years. It could be a costly option. But the gains will outweigh the costs.
Giant Asian economies like Japan, South Korea and Taiwan depend on imported LNG as they do not have the basic energy sources. To meet the demand of their growing economies, China and India too have taken the LNG route. A visit to a giant LNG regasification plant in Tokyo Bay Energy Installation in 2000 gave a glimps of Japan's LNG utilisation.
The fast evolving LNG technology indicates big LNG regasification plants would be a matter of the past. Smaller low draft LNG ships and floating LNG terminals have created a revolution in LNG trade in Japan.
Bangladesh does not seem to have a contingent plan to address the gas crisis in Chittagong. With appropriate action, the companies, having the technology can set up terminals at Sangu off-shore for one working season of October to March. Depending on the success of the first LNG terminal, the second one could be set up off the Mongla coast to feed Khulna and Barisal regions. It would provide the needed time to build the gas transmission and distribution networks for the two regions.
LNG import could tackle the immediate crisis. It would allow the time for exploration for new gas or oil reserves, on or off-shore. The facilities for the import of 500 MMCFD gas could be built in two or three years for the Chittagong region. A floating terminal like GIFT beside the Shangu off-shore platform, would be good enough to handle the imports for fifteen to twenty years. If Chittagong region could be powered by imported LNG, the rising gas supply should be good for the vast of the country for four to five years.
BANGLADESH'S shortage of power and gas is crippling civic life and obstructing industrial and commercial growth.
Gas-based power generation would require years of exploration to get new reserves. Resources constraints handicap the government to go for it the whole hog. And the companies in the public sector are not in a position to handle the situation for lack of technology and management skills.
Energy experts estimate that it could take at least four to five years to start using coal to diversify the energy basket. It would also take at least seven to nine years to strik off-shore oil if the exploration starts right away. But can the energy-starved Bangladesh economy wait that long. Without contingency action to tackle the situation on immediate basis, it could spell disaster for the economy awaiting growth.
LNG import could be a ready and alternative solution to the growing energy stortage. Action on war footing would yeild results in two years. It could be a costly option. But the gains will outweigh the costs.
Giant Asian economies like Japan, South Korea and Taiwan depend on imported LNG as they do not have the basic energy sources. To meet the demand of their growing economies, China and India too have taken the LNG route. A visit to a giant LNG regasification plant in Tokyo Bay Energy Installation in 2000 gave a glimps of Japan's LNG utilisation.
The fast evolving LNG technology indicates big LNG regasification plants would be a matter of the past. Smaller low draft LNG ships and floating LNG terminals have created a revolution in LNG trade in Japan.
Bangladesh does not seem to have a contingent plan to address the gas crisis in Chittagong. With appropriate action, the companies, having the technology can set up terminals at Sangu off-shore for one working season of October to March. Depending on the success of the first LNG terminal, the second one could be set up off the Mongla coast to feed Khulna and Barisal regions. It would provide the needed time to build the gas transmission and distribution networks for the two regions.
LNG import could tackle the immediate crisis. It would allow the time for exploration for new gas or oil reserves, on or off-shore. The facilities for the import of 500 MMCFD gas could be built in two or three years for the Chittagong region. A floating terminal like GIFT beside the Shangu off-shore platform, would be good enough to handle the imports for fifteen to twenty years. If Chittagong region could be powered by imported LNG, the rising gas supply should be good for the vast of the country for four to five years.