The ongoing war in the Middle East has disrupted crude oil imports, but there will be no adverse impact on the country’s fuel oil supply, the Energy Division said in a press statement on Wednesday.
The country’s only state-owned refinery, Eastern Refinery Limited (ERL), is operating at reduced capacity, but supply is being maintained normally through alternative measures, it said.
ERL primarily imports Arabian Light crude from Saudi Arabia and Murban crude from the UAE, refining approximately 1.5 million tonnes annually, meeting about 20 percent of the country’s total fuel demand. The remaining demand is met through refined oil imports.
After the war began on 28 February, the strategic Strait of Hormuz was closed, disrupting oil tanker movements. As a result, 2 lakh tonnes of crude oil could not be brought in during March and 1 lakh tonnes in April, the Energy Division said.
A tanker carrying 1 lakh tonnes of Saudi crude has been stationed at Ras Tanura port since early March, unable to cross the Hormuz due to security risks. Another tanker expected from the UAE has also been suspended.
“Initiatives have been taken to ensure supply through alternative routes. A tanker carrying 1 lakh tonnes of Arabian Light crude may depart on April 20 and reach Chattogram port on 2 or 3 May,” the press release said.
Saudi Arabia has been requested to supply an additional 1 lakh tonnes of crude in May. Approval has also been given to import an additional 1 lakh tonnes through direct purchase to meet emergency demand.
In the 2024-25 fiscal year, approximately 15 percent of the country’s total diesel consumption and about 12 percent of petrol were supplied by ERL, along with a significant portion of furnace oil, kerosene, and bitumen.
Although crude oil imports have been disrupted, the shortfall is being met by importing sufficient quantities of refined fuel while continuing limited production at ERL, the Energy Division assured.
