‘Bangladesh's story is intertwined with natural gas, which powers its homes and enterprises. However, as reserves dwindle, the nation faces a critical moment.’
Imagine the lifeblood of a nation, not coursing through veins, but flowing through pipelines. In Bangladesh, that lifeblood is natural gas, the fuel that powers homes, industries, and the very heartbeat of economic progress. But like any resource, it's finite, and understanding its reserves is crucial for navigating the nation's energy future.
Fuel Needs in Bangladesh: Beyond Natural Gas
While natural gas dominates Bangladesh's energy landscape, other fuels play crucial roles in various sectors. As of February 2024, Bangladesh is extracting about 2,050 million cubic feet of gas daily, supplemented by LNG imports, to meet the country’s demand, reported by BDnews. According to official data from Petrobangla, Bangladesh’s overall natural gas supply is around 2.57 Bcf/d, of which around 501,000 Mcf/d is re-gasified LNG and 2.02 Bcf/d is local gas production as of December 2025. Additionally, a report by The Daily Star mentions that local gas production fell by 4.6 percent in fiscal year 2022-23, following a 5.7 percent decline in FY 2021-22. Above is a breakdown of some key fuels, their estimated annual consumption, import dependence, and volumes.
Current Fuel Reserve in Bangladesh
In the realm of energy consumption, two primary fuel types, natural gas and oil, play pivotal roles in meeting the demands of various sectors. According to Worldometers, Bangladesh ranks 32nd in the world for natural gas consumption, accounting for about 0.8% of the world’s total consumption. This distribution underscores the diverse energy landscape, highlighting the importance of both natural gas and oil in sustaining economic activities and fulfilling energy needs.
As per Shomoy News, Bangladesh sits on a treasure trove of 40.43 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of natural gas, a seemingly vast reserve. However, the picture gets more nuanced when we zoom in. 8.82 TCF remains recoverable, and at the current consumption rate, that translates to a 9–10-year window before the tap runs dry, reported by The Daily Star. The clock is ticking, and the need for responsible management and exploration is paramount.
Authorities
Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (Power Division): Formulates national energy policies and oversees the exploration, production, and distribution of fuels.
Petrobangla: State-owned enterprise responsible for natural gas exploration, production, transmission, and distribution.
Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC): Imports and distributes petroleum products (crude oil, refined oil, and natural gas liquids).
Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation (BOGMRA): Regulates the exploration, development, and production of oil, gas, and minerals.
Meeting the Energy Demand
Bangladesh has a comprehensive plan to address its increasing energy demands, focusing on the power sector. The government aims to reach 40,000 MW by 2030 and 60,000 MW by 2041 through a mix of coal, LNG, dual-fuel, nuclear, and renewable sources, along with importing electricity, mentioned in the Annual Report 2022-23 of BPDB. To fund these initiatives, the government plans to raise $127 billion in total investments by 2041. Additionally, there's an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Master Plan up to 2030, encompassing various programs and awareness initiatives. These efforts aim to ensure sustainable and efficient energy production, requiring significant investment and careful management.
What is the future of fuel reserve?
The future of fuel reserves in Bangladesh is a topic of significant concern. The country’s natural gas reserves, which have been a major source of energy, are depleting. A report from The Business Standard mentioned, Bangladesh has around 10 trillion cubic feet (tcf) of gas left for extraction in 22 different gas fields, with an annual consumption close to 1 tcf. By 2041, Bangladesh will probably see the last few bubbles of gas from the existing reserves before being depleted completely.
Considering the average daily production of 2300 million cubic feet of gas, it will be possible to use the remaining gas for the next 10.8 years, as stated by the state minister for Power and Energy Nasrul Hamid in November 2022.
To address this issue, Bangladesh has initiated the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) since late 2018 to partly compensate for the shortfall of gas supply. However, LNG is an expensive fuel and costs three times more than the local gas. It is envisaged that LNG will gradually take more and more share of the gas supply in Bangladesh before being the predominant mode of supply in the future.
This situation underscores the importance of exploring alternative energy sources and enhancing energy efficiency. The government is also considering ramping up local gas exploration to minimize dependence on imported fossil fuels. However, these measures require significant investment and careful management to ensure a sustainable energy future for Bangladesh.
