LNG holds out early solution

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It may take four or five years or even more to explore and exploit coal and effectively diversify the energy basket. Even if the government starts in earnest to explore the off-shore resources it will take at least seven to nine years to reap harvest from the offshore petroleum exploration. It may take at least five years to derive benefit from the regional energy ring. But the Bangladesh economy will run into disaster if some contingency actions are not taken immediately to confront the on-going energy crisis.
Import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) can be a ready solution to these growing energy problems. If aggressive actions can be taken in this area, it is possible to reap benefits within a year. It may sound a costly option. But if we consider overall impacts of adding about 500 MMCFD gas injections to our ailing economy in two years by building a system based on LNG imports, the gains will outstrip pains many times.
Some of our Asian giant economies like Japan, Korea and Taiwan are mostly dependent on imported LNG as they do not have any basic energy resource. To meet the demands of their expanding economy. China and India have taken up the LNG route in a massive way. LNG technology is evolving fast and it may no longer need massive LNG regasification plants and receiving terminals. Much smaller low draft LNG ships and floating LNG terminals are creating revolution in LNG trade and use.
Bangladesh does not appear to have any better contingency plan than to address gas crisis in Chittagong. If appropriate action can be taken, the companies which have this technology can set up terminals at some offshore location in one working season-- may be January-April, 2011. The contracts with the LNG traders are to be inked in the meantime so that gas may flow to Chittagong and national gas grid by as early as the middle of 2011.
Shamim Ahmed
Banani,
Dhaka.