Indian company H-Energy aims to construct a gas transmission line in Bangladesh for exporting Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (RLNG) from West Bengal, despite a lack of regulations in place. Bangladesh Oil, Gas, and Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla) asserts that the Gas Transmission Company Limited (GTCL) is the sole authority for gas pipeline construction in the country. If H-Energy proceeds, it could potentially raise gas prices and wheeling charges, benefiting the Indian company.
Petrobangla reports that H-Energy has agreed to acquire land in Petrobangla’s name for the pipeline’s construction but remains insistent on building the pipeline, causing a deadlock. Discussions between Petrobangla and H-Energy continue to address issues such as gas pricing and quantity. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between Petrobangla and H-Energy in June 2021 for the import of 200 million cubic feet of gas per day from India. However, pipeline construction issues have delayed the project, even as H-Energy advances its work on the Indian side. The government hopes that importing LNG from India will alleviate the gas crisis in the southwestern region, but experts have raised concerns about higher prices.