No end to Sylhet LPG crisis in sight

The supply has been reduced after its demand increased over the last three years. This has cause sufferings to consumers.

Official sources said production of LPG has decreased by 25 per cent due to fall in the supply of NGL (Natural Gas Liquid) from Kailashtila Gas fields under Sylhet Gas Fields Company Limited (SGFL) in last few months.

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It has caused shorter supply of LPG to the three state-run companies- Padma, Meghna and Jamuna --under Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC). These companies distribute LPG through dealers and agents. Besides, some private companies also market the LPG.

Though the demand for LPG increased in the last three years, the authorities concerned did not take any initiative to cope with the increased demand.

Rather, production went down as one gas well was sealed as its reserve was exhausted. There were problems with the other well because of extraction for long.

Taking advantage of the situation, some traders raised the price of LPG in local markets. Besides, the demand increased with the start of Ramadan and high price of firewood.

Now, a LPG cylinder is being sold at Tk 450 to 500 against Tk 350 earlier.

Sources said one third of the LPG produced here is supplied to private companies and the rest to dealers in greater Sylhet region.

This violates the decision taken at a joint meeting of officials and dealers earlier.

When contacted, an official of Sylhet Gas Fields Limited

(SGFL) admitted that NGL production fell drastically in recent months after Kailashtila Gas well-I was sealed because it went dry. Production in another old well has also fallen.

RPGCL produces LPG from NGL received from the

Kailashtila Gas wells, owned by the SGFL. RPGCL produces about 9,000 tons of LPG every year.

The official however said, there is no chance of improvement in the situation until the two proposed wells are drilled, which will take time.

While talking to the Daily Star, a number of traders alleged that taking the advantage of lesser production of LPG by RPGCL (Rupanta-rita Prakritik Gas Company Limi-ted), some officials were not supplying sanctioned quantities of LPG to dealers in Sylhet region.

The situation has also caused a row between BPC dealers (Padma, Meghna and Jamuna) and the private companies like Jamuna Space Track and Standard Asiatic Oil Company.

During last one year there were negotiations on several occasions but the decisions were not implemented, they alleged.

Sylhet Division Petroleum Dealers Association President Mohsinur Rashid and its Secretary Zobayer Ahmed Chowdhury said they have appealed to higher authorities to take steps to improve the situation, but to no effect. Earlier they had stopped lifting quota protesting more supply to private companies depriving them.