Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) has moved to appoint a consultant for its proposed LPG terminal project at under-construction Matarbari Deep Sea Port.
State-owned BPC recently forwarded a letter to the Energy and Mineral Resources Division proposing to assign the Power Cell to appoint a consultant for the LPG terminal project, said BPC Director (Planning and Operation) Syed Mehedi Hasan, reports UNB.
The consultant will perform a feasibility study and supervision works of the LPG terminal project, he added.
Industry insiders welcomed the move but said it would have been better if any entity from the energy sector like Petrobangla or Rupantarito Prakritik Gas Company Ltd (RPGCL) would have been given the task who experience to deal with energy-related matter.
“Power Cell is experienced in dealing with electricity related matter while it has no experience in dealing with liquid fuel or petroleum related matter,” said Azam Chowdhury, president of LPG Operators Association of Bangladesh (LOAB) while speaking a webinar on Sunday.
Matarbari LNG Terminal to reduce cost
The move for the LPG terminal was initiated against the backdrop of the growing demand for liquefied gas across the country.
At present, the country consumes around 1.0 million metric tonnes of LPG annually. The figure was 47,000 MT in 2009, and projected to reach 2.5 million MT by 2025, industry insiders said.
LPG businessmen currently import liquified gas through small- and medium-sized vessels from Singapore or other nearest deep-sea ports where large vessels are anchored.
Once the Matarbari deep sea port becomes operational, large vessels will be able to dock there, reducing their cost by USD 35-40 per MT, according to BPC officials.
“That’s why the implementation of the third terminal for LPG is very important as import of such petroleum gas is growing by 10-14 per cent per annum against the backdrop of increasing consumer needs,” said a BPC official, on condition of anonymity.
BPC has already initiated a move to conduct a feasibility study for the LPG terminal project. “We’re ready to invite bids seeking expression of Interest (EoI) from international companies for engaging a consultant to conduct a feasibility study for the project and submit a report," said the official.
