Bangladesh is facing one of the worst gas crises in its recent history, as supply shortages continue to deepen across residential, industrial, transport, and fertilizer sectors. For nearly 15 years the country has been grappling with a persistent decline in gas production, but the situation has now escalated to an acute crisis. With local output falling for nine consecutive years and imported LNG volumes shrinking due to financial constraints, gas supply has plummeted to just 60 percent of daily demand-triggering widespread distress for millions. According to data from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division and Petrobangla, Bangladesh currently requires around 4,200 million cubic feet (mmcfd) of gas per day. However, distribution companies are able to supply only 250-260 mmcfd, with Wednesday’s supply standing at 253.4 mmcfd. This leaves a staggering 40 percent deficit in daily supply-a gap experts describe as “crippling for both homes and industries.”
Households across major cities, including Dhaka, have reported cooking burners flickering throughout the day, while many factories-especially in key industrial belts-are running at half capacity or have shut down altogether. “For years we have lived with shortages, but this has become unbearable,” said Farida Akhter, a resident of Mirpur, who said her family now depends on restaurant food for most meals.
Demand Rises, Production Falls: A Long-Brewing Crisis Peaks: Over the past decade-and-a-half, Bangladesh’s gas production has gradually declined, but the drop in the last nine years has been especially sharp. Production has been decreasing by 15-20 mmcfd each year, according to data from Titas Gas and other distribution companies.
Local production has now fallen to an average of 1,800 mmcfd, down from 2,700 mmcfd in 2017-a decline of 33 percent. At the same time, LNG imports, once considered the key solution to the gas shortage, are constrained by both infrastructure and financial limitations. Even at full capacity, Bangladesh’s LNG terminals cannot supply more than 1,000 mmcfd, but current supply is hovering below 900 mmcfd.
“Despite record LNG imports last year, financial pressure and global price volatility have forced the government to reduce imports,” said an official from the Energy Division, requesting anonymity. “When both local production and LNG imports drop, the crisis becomes unmanageable.”
Petrobangla’s own analysis indicates that the system stabilizes only when supply reaches 3,500 mmcfd. Anything below that results in severe disruptions for consumers. With current supply stuck around 2,500-2,600 mmcfd, the country is now experiencing its most critical energy shortfall in years.
Industries Struggle as Pressure Drops Below Operational Level: Bangladesh’s industrial zones-including Savar, Ashulia, Gazipur, Narayanganj, Tongi, Kashimpur, and parts of Narsingdi-are among the hardest hit by the crisis. In these areas, gas pressure has fallen to 3-4 psi, far below the 15 psi required for boilers and generators in garment factories.
Textile and garment factories-the backbone of Bangladesh’s $47 billion export industry-are struggling to keep machines running. In many factories, pressure has dropped to 7-10 psi, causing machines to operate in a slow, unstable mode known among workers as “dhunke-dhunke”-barely surviving.
“We cannot run our production lines at even 50 percent capacity,” said A.K.M. Saifullah, a factory owner in Savar. “Orders are getting delayed, and buyers are losing patience. Many factories have already shut down their dyeing units, boilers, or even entire floors.”
The crisis is forcing entrepreneurs to turn to expensive alternatives such as LPG cylinders or CNG generators, significantly increasing production costs. An official from a leading apparel association told Daily Industry: “The gas shortage has hit at a time when export orders are already shrinking globally. Energy insecurity may cause a 15-20% loss in productivity for the sector.”
Some businesses, already struggling from economic stagnation, political unrest, and dollar shortages, are reportedly considering selling their factories. “I know at least five owners in Gazipur who are looking to exit,” said another industry insider. “Gas is the final blow.”
Households Bear the Brunt: Families Forced to Buy Food or Switch to Costly LPG
The gas crisis is affecting residential consumers just as severely. In many neighbourhoods across Dhaka-including Mohammadpur, Dhanmondi (partial areas), Green Road, Moghbazar, Malibagh, Mirpur-10, Shewrapara, Pallabi, Jatrabari, Rampura, Mugda, and others-supplied gas pressure has dropped so low that cooking has become impossible.
Families with limited incomes are the worst affected, as many cannot afford LPG cylinders, electric stoves, or kerosene burners. “We have a pipeline connection, but the stove does not light,” said a resident of Moghbazar. “We have to buy cooked meals every day. It’s humiliating and financially draining.” Many households are switching to LPG even when they still pay monthly bills for pipeline gas-meaning double expenses. LPG prices have also risen due to higher global rates and increased transport costs.
A resident of Katalbagan told Daily Industry: “Our gas bill is Tk 990, but we now use two LPG cylinders per month costing Tk 3,000 each. How can a middle-class family survive like this?”
The crisis is not limited to Dhaka. Reports of gas shortages have emerged from Chattogram, Narayanganj, Barishal, and several district towns.
Meanwhile, long queues at CNG stations have become a daily sight across major highways, with motorists waiting for hours.
Underlying Causes: Production Limits, LNG Constraints, and Long-Delayed Exploration
Energy experts say the crisis is the result of years of underinvestment, poor planning, and excessive dependence on depleting gas fields.
Dr. M. Tamim, former energy adviser to the caretaker government, told Daily Industry:
“For more than a decade, we kept relying on the same gas fields while delaying exploration. Now those fields are almost exhausted. The crisis was predictable-and preventable.”
Local gas reserves have rapidly declined, with only a handful of wells still producing at stable rates. New exploration projects have remained slow, and pipeline leakages and distribution losses further reduce available supply. Renewed focus has now been placed on well workovers and new drilling, but results will take years.
A senior Petrobangla official acknowledged: “Even if we find new gas today, it will take at least 2-3 years to bring it to the grid. The public expects quick solutions, but gas does not work that way.” With LNG imports limited by foreign exchange shortages, Bangladesh has few immediate options.
Government Response: Drilling Plans, LNG Expansion, but Relief Still Years Away: Energy Division officials claim that several measures have been taken to improve supply, including: Reconstruction of two gas wells to increase local output, Plans to drill 50 wells between 2025-26, An additional 100 wells during 2026-28, Accelerated exploration in new onshore and offshore blocks. Proposals to build additional LNG terminals. But experts warn that none of these will bring immediate relief.
An energy ministry official told Daily Industry: “Even if the next government approves all drilling plans, it will take at least three years to bring the deficit to a tolerable level. The crisis will remain part of daily life for the near future.”
Construction of new LNG terminals could boost supply within 18 months, but the country’s forex reserves may not support higher LNG imports.
“This is a classic dilemma-more LNG means more dollars spent,” said energy economist Dr. Khondaker Golam Moazzem. “But without LNG, industries collapse. Strategic prioritisation is essential.”
Economic Repercussions: Inflation, Production Losses, and Rising Import Dependency
Economists warn that the gas crisis will worsen inflation, strain supply chains, and undermine economic recovery. Production disruptions in industries such as textiles, steel, ceramics, glass, and chemicals will have ripple effects across the economy.
A senior economist told Daily Industry: “This shortage is not just an energy issue-it is a national economic emergency. Reduced factory output means lower exports, lower employment, and higher import dependency.”
Gas shortages in fertilizer factories will push the country toward greater urea and DAP imports, further draining foreign reserves already under pressure. Transport costs are also rising as CNG shortages force vehicles to switch to costlier petrol or diesel.
Crisis Likely to Intensify Without Immediate Policy Action: With domestic production at historic lows, LNG imports constrained, and industrial demand outpacing supply, Bangladesh’s gas shortage shows no sign of easing soon. Experts say the next three years will be critical in determining whether the country can stabilize its energy system.
For now, citizens and industries continue to cope with a daily struggle for gas-an essential resource that has long powered Bangladesh’s economy and households. Unless the coming government accelerates exploration, intensifies LNG infrastructure development, and resolves financial barriers, the crisis is likely to persist or even worsen.
