Category: Energy and Power

As Bangladesh’s LPG market continues to expand rapidly across households, industries, transport, and commercial establishments, concerns over safety are becoming increasingly urgent. Industry experts, regulators, operators, and safety of?cials warn that while LPG remains a safe and ef?cient fuel when handled properly, weak compliance, poor awareness, inadequate training, and regulatory shortcomings are exposing users to avoidable risks.

at a recent roundtable, stakeholders emphasized that up to 80 percent of LPG-related accidents could be prevented through greater awareness, stricter enforcement of safety regulations, improved training, and stronger institutional oversight. They called for a comprehensive policy framework backed by effective implementation to ensure the sustainable and safe growth of Bangladesh’s LPG sector.

the roundtable, titled ‘Bangladesh’s LPG Sector Facing Growing Safety and Regulatory Challenges,’ was jointly organized by the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC), the LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB), and Energy and Power at the BERC auditorium. BERC Chairman Jalal Ahmed attended as the chief guest, while LOAB President Mohammed Amirul Haque presided over the event.

a keynote paper was presented by Dr. Md Easir Arafat Khan, Professor of Chemical Engineering at BUET.

the session was moderated by Energy and Power Editor Mollah Amzad Hossain.

among others, BERC Member (Petroleum) Dr. Syeda Sultana Razia, Joint Secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division AKM Fazlul Haque, REHAB Vice President A.K.M. Barkotullah, LOAB Vice President Humayun Rashid, LPG Autogas Stations and Conversion Workshop Association President Engr. Md. Serajul Mawla, Department of Explosives Assistant Inspector Muhammad Mehedi Islam Khan, Fire Service and Civil Defence Assistant Director Md.

iqbal Bahar Bulbul, and an energy professional Engr. Jakaria Jalal also spoke. ‘If we cannot change this culture, it will be dif?cult to improve the situation,’ he said. He noted that LPG use is growing rapidly in households, vehicles, and industries, but safety practices have not kept pace. Safety, he said, must remain the priority because indiscriminate use of LPG can create signi?cant risks.

ahmed emphasized the need for structured training programs, beginning with training trainers who can subsequently educate workers involved in LPG handling, transportation, and distribution. He also said the government is consulting stakeholders to formulate a user-friendly and effective LPG policy that minimizes the need for frequent amendments. Mohammed Amirul Haque LOAB President Mohammed Amirul Haque said Bangladesh does not face an LPG supply shortage; rather, the key challenge is developing a safer operating environment. ‘With cooperation from all stakeholders, we can ensure safe transportation and use of LPG,’ he said, stressing the need for strict compliance throughout the supply chain. He added that industry operators are working together to improve safety standards and called for a rational pricing framework to support sustainable sector growth.

easir Arafat Khan In his keynote presentation, Dr. Md.

easir Arafat Khan argued that LPG is inherently safe when hazards are managed properly through established safety protocols.

according to him, risks associated with storage, transportation, and handling can be effectively controlled through compliance, training, and disciplined operations. However, weak enforcement, poor safety culture, and inadequate oversight continue to create vulnerabilities. Dr.

arafat highlighted several major concerns, including widespread non-compliance among autogas stations, many of which reportedly operate without proper licenses and documentation. He also pointed to the absence of certi?ed gas detection systems, emergency shutdown systems, and adequate leak detection mechanisms at many facilities.

the lack of specialized training and licensing for technicians and transport operators further increases safety risks, he said.

illegal cylinder cross-?lling, unauthorized cylinder cutting and scrapping, and the operation of unlicensed LPG road tankers remain major concerns. Public awareness is also insuf?cient. Many consumers are unfamiliar with proper leak response procedures and safe equipment usage, increasing the likelihood of accidents.

to address these challenges, Dr. Arafat recommended stricter licensing requirements, stronger regulatory enforcement, mandatory safety audits, third-party inspections of high-risk facilities, and nationwide awareness campaigns. He also called for mandatory gas detection, ?re protection, alarm systems, preventive maintenance programs, and standardized equipment speci?cations.

a comprehensive national LPG policy aligned with international standards is also needed, he said. Syeda Sultana Razia BERC Member Dr. Syeda Sultana Razia agreed that awareness alone could reduce LPGrelated accidents signi?cantly. ‘Safety cannot be compromised,’ she said, noting that many accidents gounreported and that public education and training campaigns could prevent a large number of incidents. She acknowledged manpower shortages at the Department of Explosives and said authorities are considering involving third-party organizations to strengthen inspection and monitoring activities. Razia also stressed the importance of maintaining proper propane-butane mixtures in LPG cylinders, warning that deviations from prescribed standards could create serious safety hazards. While regulations and guidelines already exist, she noted that their effectiveness depends on proper implementation and compliance by all stakeholders. She also identi?ed high-rise buildings as particularly vulnerable and called for additional precautions in such facilities.

aKM Fazlul Haque Joint Secretary AKM Fazlul Haque said the rapid growth of the LPG sector has naturally increased safety concerns. ‘Safety is everyone’s responsibility,’ he said, emphasizing that poor-quality equipment and non-compliance signi?cantly increase risks. He acknowledged existing regulatory gaps and assured participants that the government is working to update regulations. Regular monitoring, stronger enforcement, and improvements in sector infrastructure will be necessary to address safety challenges, he added.

a K M Barkotullah REHAB Vice President A.K.M. Barkotullah said developers now incorporate ?re exits and ?re safety plans in high-rise buildings, but speci?c guidelines for LPG use in such structures remain inadequate. He called for dedicated safety standards for LPG installations in high-rise developments and stressed the need to improve maintenance and management systems.

engr. Md Serajul Mawla Meanwhile, Engr. Md. Serajul Mawla argued that existing LPG policies contain practical limitations that make compliance dif?cult. He said operators frequently struggle with substandard equipment and insuf?cient user training. While supporting stronger safety regulations, he urged policymakers to revise existing rules through greater consultation with industry stakeholders. ‘Rules should re?ect the realities on the ground,’ he said.

taking part in the discussion, LOAB president Amirul Haque said they want to ensure safety and security in the LPG sector with the cooperation of all concerned, and want to build a common platform to address all the problems. ‘The problem is there, but with getting all together we can prevent it, and will go ahead for the betterment of all.’ Humayun Rashid LOAB Vice President Humayun Rashid called for yearround training programs under BERC’s supervision to strengthen stakeholder awareness and improve operational safety. Mizanur Rahman BERC Member Mizanur Rahman stressed the importance of maintaining proper gas composition and pressure levels, saying that adherence to technical standards could signi?cantly reduce accident risks. Muhammmad Mehedi Islam Khan Department of Explosives Assistant Inspector Muhammad Mehedi Islam Khan highlighted severe manpower shortages within his department, which limit inspection and enforcement activities. Despite these constraints, he said efforts are underway to digitize services, speed up regulatory approvals, and seek technical support from BUET experts.

iqbal Bahar Bulbul Fire Service and Civil Defence Assistant Director Md.

iqbal Bahar Bulbul noted that most LPG accidents occur in households due to inadequate awareness. Many users lack even basic knowledge of safe handling practices, he said, stressing the importance of preventive measures such as ?re extinguishers, re blankets, and proper ignition procedures. ‘It is much easier to extinguish a small ?re before it becomes a major incident,’ he said. Bulbul pointed to the garment sector as an example of how compliance and safety awareness can signi?cantly reduce accidents. Mohiuddin Khaled Mohiuddin Khaled of G-Gas LPG said multiplication of cylinders will multiply the risk as well.

and he suggested a single cylinder to reduce the risk of accidents.

and also suggested policy regulation in this regard. Mehedi Hasan of Beximco LPG said the main focus should be on awareness of the people. Jakaria Jalal of Bashundhara Group said that while 2.5 lakh people are involved in India to lookafter the gas explosion safety issues, a few people are involved in Bangladesh. Abu Sayeed Raza Abu Sayeed Raza of Mehgna Fresh LPG suggested running the LPG road truck by the licensed persons, adding that an uncontrolled situation will be created if these are done by non-professionals. He also requested the authority to stop cross?lling of cylinders at the Autogas station, saying that otherwise the situation will go beyond control. Engr Liaqat Ali of Omera Gas also said cylinders should not be ?lled at Autogas stations.

engr Maidul said that cylinders should not be ?lled at an auto gas station, apprehending a high risk. Engineer Saidul Islam Engineer Saidul Islam, Partner, Siamgas Trading, said that compliances to be practiced by force. He also suggested some incentives, like tax vat bene?ts in this regard. 90 percent of installations have no reticulation permission, he said, suggesting controlling the reticulation system by force and introducing a safety audit system. Osman Celik Osman Celik, Chief Financial Of?cer of United Aygaz LPG, said the safety rules should be followed and maintained properly. He said concerned people should also be cautious while they are taking LPG from one place to another by transport. He said proper training and giving a license are also necessary for the operators. Conclusion The discussion concluded with a broad consensus that Bangladesh needs stronger enforcement, greater public awareness, improved training, and more practical regulations to ensure safe LPG use.

industry participants called for amendments to existing LPG policies, streamlined licensing procedures, and the establishment of a one-stop service center to improve regulatory ef?ciency. Most importantly, stakeholders agreed that safety must become a shared responsibility among regulators, operators, transporters, technicians, and consumers if Bangladesh is to sustain the rapid growth of its LPG sector while protecting lives and property

With ?rst LNG production achieved, Golden Pass LNG is on track to commence exports to global markets in second-quarter 2026. Golden Pass LNG, a joint venture between QatarEnergy and ExxonMobil, reached ?rst production of LNG from Train 1 at the export project in Sabine Pass, Tex. With ?rst LNG completed, the joint venture advances work to deliver its ?rst cargo, achieve sustained liquefaction operations, and meet its commercial and strategic objectives, ExxonMobil said in a release Mar. 30.

train 1 is one of three LNG trains comprising the 18-million tonnes/year plant.

Mirana Mahrukh, Additional Secretary of the Economic Relations Division (ERD), has been appointed as the new Secretary of the Power Division.

the appointment was announced in a noti?cation issued recently by the Senior Appointments Wing1 of the Ministry of Public Administration. The order, signed by Senior Assistant Secretary Jeti Pru on behalf of the President, stated that the appointment would take immediate effect in the public interest. Mirana Mahrukh is a member of the 18th batch of the Bangladesh Civil Service (BCS). She obtained both her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Public Administration from University of Dhaka and later earned an MBA from Victoria University in Melbourne. During her career, she served in various positions in ?eld administration and government ministries.

Bangladesh does not yet have suf?cient geological evidence to conclusively classify its offshore territory in the Bay of Bengal as a hydrocarbon-rich province by global standards. However, the geological and geophysical data already available should be systematically analyzed, reprocessed, and packaged to present a compelling investment case to international oil companies (IOCs). At the same time, policymakers must recognize that offshore oil and gas exploration is a capital-intensive, highrisk undertaking that requires advanced technology, specialized expertise, and substantial ?nancial resources.

as a result, there is no realistic alternative to attracting foreign investment and international expertise if Bangladesh hopes to unlock the hydrocarbon potential of its offshore areas.

in an interview with Mollah Amzad Hossain, Editor of Energy and Power, Professor Dr. Md.

anwar Hossain Bhuiyan, Department of Geology at the University of Dhaka, shared his views on Bangladesh’s Offshore Bidding Round 2026. Bangladesh has formally launched the Offshore Bidding Round 2026 following the ?nalization of the Offshore Model PSC 2026. How do you assess the country’s preparations to attract investment for offshore oil and gas exploration? There is no alternative to exploring, developing, and utilizing domestic energy resources if Bangladesh is to ensure long-term energy security. From that perspective, the launch of the Offshore Bidding Round 2026 is a welcome initiative. However, Bangladesh has fallen signi?cantly behind in offshore exploration.

a bidding round was previously announced in 2024 under a model PSC developed with the support of international consultants.

although seven IOCs purchased bid documents, none submitted bids due largely to the changed political environment at the time.

the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources subsequently reviewed the reasons behind the lack of participation. Based on those ?ndings, Petrobangla updated the Offshore Model PSC 2026. From both ?nancial and technical perspectives, the revised PSC is attractive for investors. However, IOCs do not make highrisk, multi-billion-dollar offshore investments based solely on contractual terms.

a stable economic, social, and political environment is equally important.

in my view, the current government is committed to creating such an environment.

are the changes introduced in the Offshore Model PSC 2026 suf?cient to attract IOCs? The revised PSC is certainly more attractive from both commercial and technical standpoints. Gas pricing has been linked to Brent crude oil prices, while a ?oor and ceiling mechanism has been introduced to provide greater price certainty.

the PSC also allows investors to recover pipeline infrastructure costs and earn wheeling charges after a gas discovery. Furthermore, the WPPF rate has been reduced from 5 percent to 1.5 percent. Despite these improvements, there remains a signi?cant challenge. Major IOCs typically invest in offshore regions where geological evidence suggests the possibility of discovering reserves in the range of 30 to 50 trillion cubic feet (TCF).

at present, there is insuf?cient data to indicate that Bangladesh’s offshore areas contain reserves of that magnitude. Moreover, successful discoveries tend to attract additional investment. Bangladesh lacks such a landmark offshore success story.

therefore, investment risks in the country’s offshore sector remain comparatively high. Petrobangla possesses substantial offshore data, while third-party companies have also conducted 2D seismic surveys and developed data packages. What more should be done to present Bangladesh’s offshore potential effectively? Compared to onshore areas, offshore data may be limited, but it is certainly not insigni?cant.

Mohammed Amirul Haque has been elected president of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), cementing the dominance of the United Business Forum after its clean sweep in the biennial polls.

the chamber’s directors sealed the leadership decision at their recent presidium meeting at the chamber of?ce in Agrabad World Trade Center in the presence of the Chamber Election Board.

the newly elected directors unanimously formed the presidium, with Amirul from the Town Association Trade Group chosen as president Mr. Haque also the President of LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB).

State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Anindya Islam Amit has said initiatives have been taken to install solar power in the government buildings of 21 district in the country. Solar panels will be installed in of?ce of Deputy Commissioners, Police Supers and hospitals in 21 districts within two to three months, he said while virtually inaugurating installation of rooftop solar power at Zobaida Korim Jute Mills Limited in Faridpur recently. He urged the private companies to follow the government saying Zobaida Korim Jute Mill can be a model for other private companies. Power Secretary Minara Mahrukh, Additional Secretary and Chairman of West Zone Power Distribution Company Limited Noor Ahmed were present.

the State Minister also participated in a views exchange meeting with of?cials. JA Solar International Ltd, China has installed the solar power with a capacity to generate 4.29 MW power. According to project, SMA Solar Technology AG, China (Model: STP-11060) will be installed with Net Meter facilities.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) has announced a major reduction in aviation fuel prices for both domestic and international ?ights, effective from midnight.

under the latest adjustment, jet fuel prices for domestic ?ights have been reduced by Tk 39.57 per liter, bringing the new rate down to Tk 165.88 from the previous Tk 205.45 per liter. For international routes, the duty- and VAT-free jet fuel price for both local and foreign airlines has been cut to $1.0823 per liter from $1.34. BERC reviews and adjusts aviation fuel prices every month in line with changes in the international oil market.

this is the second reduction in jet fuel prices in May alone.

earlier on May 7, BERC reduced domestic jet fuel prices from Tk 227.08 to Tk 205.45 per liter, while international rates were lowered from $1.48 to $1.34 per liter.

Persistent high in?ation, investment stagnation and energy crunch are severely affecting economic stability and escalating the cost of doing business, economists and business leaders have said on revelation by a new parameter.

they observed owing to the failure of traditional indices in capturing immediate economic transitions, evidence-based decisionmaking at the policy level is becoming signi?cantly constrained.

the observations were made at a seminar titled ‘Economic Position Index (EPI): Quarterly Macroeconomic State of Dhaka’, organized by Dhaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DCCI) at its auditorium recently.

they have suggested expanding the newly launched EPI beyond overconcentrated Dhaka to make it a nationally effective policy tool

The government has a plan to generate 5,000 megawatts of electricity from solar panels over the next ?ve years, Iqbal Hasan Mahmood, the minister for power, energy and mineral resources, said recently. ‘Immediately after taking of?ce, Prime Minister Tarique Rahman raised the issue of solar power in his second cabinet meeting and asked us for a concrete plan on how to increase solar power generation,’ he said pointing out the government’s move towards establishing solar power.

the minister made these remarks while speaking as the chief guest at a seminar titled, ‘Roadmap Towards 10,000 Megawatts Solar Power, 2030,’ at the Institution of Engineers, Bangladesh (IEB), marking its 78th founding anniversary.

engineer Mohammad Riazul Islam, president of the IEB and chairman of the Rajdhani Unnayan Kartripakkha (RAJUK), chaired the event.

Since independence, Petrobangla has accumulated approximately 66,000 line-kilometers of vintage seismic data, a limited amount of 3D seismic data, drilling information from exploration wells, and around 12,000 linekilometers of recently acquired multiclient seismic survey data. However, what is urgently needed is the reprocessing of these datasets and the development of a comprehensive hydrocarbon prospectivity model. This is not something Petrobangla can accomplish alone.

a more effective approach would be to engage internationally recognized ?rms for advanced data interpretation and jointly prepare a modern, integrated data package.

although this would require additional investment, it could signi?cantly enhance the attractiveness of Bangladesh’s offshore acreage and improve investor con?dence. Bangladesh’s greatest exploration success came from the 1993 bidding round.

although many companies showed interest in the 1997 round, the country failed to capitalize on that momentum. How do you evaluate Bangladesh’s PSC process over the years? That observation is correct. However, I would prefer to focus speci?cally on offshore exploration.

the reality is that Bangladesh has not yet been able to convincingly demonstrate the offshore resource potential of the Bay of Bengal to prospective investors. Offshore success remains largely limited to the Sangu gas ?eld, which has already been depleted and abandoned. The Kutubdia discovery has also not reached commercial production.

as a result, despite repeated efforts by successive governments to attract investment, offshore exploration activity has remained limited. Several internationally renowned companies, including Totalgaz and ConocoPhillips, conducted exploration under PSCs and achieved some technical success. However, they ultimately withdrew because the projects failed to meet their commercial expectations. The companies sought adjustments in gas pricing terms that could have improved project economics and facilitated the conversion of contingent resources into commercially viable reserves.

those proposals were not accepted, leading to their departure.

another challenge is the shortage of petroleum economists in Bangladesh. While the country has capable geologists and petroleum engineers, it lacks suf?cient expertise in petroleum economics and commercial negotiations. Consequently, some of the concerns raised by international companies may not have been adequately evaluated.

this has contributed to Bangladesh’s slow progress in offshore exploration. What should Bangladesh do to ensure a successful outcome from the Offshore Bidding Round 2026? Success will depend on adopting the right strategy. Bangladesh must make the best possible use of its existing geological and geophysical data, reprocess and reinterpret those datasets using modern technologies, and present offshore prospects in a compelling and scienti?cally credible manner.

at the same time, maintaining policy stability, ensuring transparency, and providing a predictable investment environment will be essential.

if Bangladesh can effectively package its offshore potential and communicate it to investors, the likelihood of attracting quality international oil companies will increase substantially. The current bidding round represents an important opportunity, but success will require both technical preparation and strategic engagement with the global petroleum industry.

the 1993 bidding round could be described as a hybrid approach, where roadshows were followed by negotiations with selected companies before contracts were signed under the Model PSC.

this time, Bangladesh is seeking bids directly through a formal bidding process. How attractive do you think this will be for IOCs? The answer is not straightforward. The 1993 PSC round led to signi?cant successes both onshore and offshore. While offshore production from the Sangu gas ?eld has already been depleted, three onshore ?elds developed under PSC arrangements currently contribute nearly 60 percent of Bangladesh’s domestic gas supply.

the key issue is that Bangladesh needs offshore investment to strengthen its long-term energy security.

therefore, while safeguarding national interests and considering geopolitical realities, the government should keep all possible avenues open to attract investment under the Offshore Model PSC framework. From that perspective, I see no reason why some of thestrategies used in the 1993 bidding round could not be considered again if they help secure investment.

the Energy Division has indicated that a series of international roadshows will be organized to promote the Offshore Bidding Round 2026. What preparations should Bangladesh undertake to make these roadshows effective? The primary objective of any roadshow is to attract investors. We should recognize that Bangladesh has developed considerable capabilities for onshore oil and gas exploration. However, when it comes to offshore exploration, the country lacks the necessary investment capacity, advanced technology, and specialized manpower required for such high-risk ventures.

therefore, the sole purpose of these roadshows should be to attract IOCs. Many international consulting and advisory ?rms specialize in investor outreach and promotion. Bangladesh can engage such ?rms to help bring investors to the table and create a favorable environment. However, the responsibility for convincing investors ultimately rests with Bangladesh itself. Petrobangla should prepare and present a comprehensive and attractive data package based on the geological and geophysical information already available for Bangladesh’s offshore areas in the Bay of Bengal.

at the same time, investors must be provided with clear information regarding the investment climate, political stability, regulatory framework, and legal protections.

the government may also consider involving academics, civil society representatives, and media professionals alongside its own of?cials in promoting Bangladesh’s offshore potential.

a coordinated strategy that builds investor con?dence and trust will be essential if Bangladesh hopes to attract the large-scale and highrisk investments required for offshore exploration.

india and Myanmar have achieved several signi?cant discoveries in the Bay of Bengal. Based on the available data, how would you assess Bangladesh’s hydrocarbon prospects? One important point needs to be understood. Bangladesh’s offshore geology is not directly comparable to India’s east coast.

the geological setting and hydrocarbon systems are fundamentally different.

although Bangladesh shares some geological similarities with Myanmar, there are also substantial differences. Therefore, discoveries in India or Myanmar do not automatically imply that similar resources exist in Bangladesh’s offshore territory.

one of Bangladesh’s biggest weaknesses is the lack of detailed geological and geophysical studies. Moreover, the data that we do possess has not yet been presented effectively to potential investors. We have some additional information from exploration activities conducted in ?ve or six offshore blocks, but much of the offshore area remains largely unexplored.

iOCs are fully aware of these limitations. Consequently, they understand that any investment in Bangladesh’s offshore sector will require them to undertake detailed surveys using their own capital, technology, and expertise. Global offshore exploration statistics indicate that in deepwater areas, only about one out of every ten exploration wells results in a commercial discovery. However, when discoveries are made, the reserves are often very large.

in Bangladesh’s case, the probability of ?nding giant reserves appears comparatively lower. Given these uncertainties, what should Bangladesh’s strategy be? Bangladesh should keep every possible option open for attracting offshore investment. Some experts believe the Bay of Bengal may contain between 20 and 30 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas resources. However, until comprehensive data acquisition, interpretation, and drilling activities are completed, no one can make de?nitive claims.

that is why there is no alternative to attracting investment for offshore exploration.

it is important to remember that in petroleum exploration, even a negative result can be valuable.

as the saying goes, ‘No ?nding is good ?nding.’ Even if commercially viable reserves are not discovered, the information gained will help Bangladesh make informed decisions regarding its future energy security strategy.

at the same time, policymakers should recognize that even if investment is secured today, it may take 10 to 15 years before Bangladesh can fully determine the hydrocarbon potential of its offshore areas