Every visit to Bangladesh is memorable. Deep involvement in energy, sports, cultural activities created a huge network in Bangladesh. Every visit creates lots of enthusiasm. Every time make plans to visit as many places as possible, meet as many near and dear ones. But time constraints, tight movement for traffic congestions in Dhaka city lead to cancellations of several prearranged get together. Last time was no different. During my last visit still could manage time to do a lot and cover more areas.

Cricket Adda at Radio Bhuban:
Wheel Chair Cricket Captain Mohammad Mohasin was very eloquent in talking about the challenges of the cricket of the physically handicapped cricketers. His is a success story despite of many limitations. Habibul Bashar Sumon talked about his playing days. He remembered the great achievements of World Cup 2007 when Bangladesh stunned the cricket world beating favorites India and South Africa. He thought Bangladesh could give a good account of them against Australia on the first day of the first test they played at Darwin scoring over 300 runs against a very potent Australian bowling attack. Sumon thought he left cricket at the right time leaving his place to worthy successors. According to him Bangladesh to rediscover their potential since last year and the team has performed wonderfully well since then. Not only in ODI Bangladesh has become is a force to reckon with it advancing in test cricket as well. Many budding young cricketers like Mustafiz, Soumya Sarkar, Sabbir, Taskin, and Liton are emerging.



A very healthy competition has been created among the players for getting into the side. Saleque and Sumon agreed that Bangladesh must play more and longer version games in domestic circuit on true sporting wickets and must give the fast bowlers opportunity to practice on helping conditions. Bangladesh has got world class spinners, now they need bowlers like Taskin, Mustafiz, Rubel, Rabiul and Al Amin to mature for making Bangladesh competitive in test cricket.

Energy Talk at Shamoy Television:
Reputed anchor Tushar Abdullah conducted an hour long television talk on all aspects of power and energy at Shamoy Television. We discussed about Bangladesh Energy Visions 2021 and 2030, issues and challenges. The achievements of present government in turning crisis into challenges were critically addressed. The major challenges were identified as investment, primary fuel supply, infrastructure development, and technology and capacity development. Domestic primary fuel was identified as the least costs option and suggestions were made for commencing exploration of local coal and expediting exploration for petroleum resources at offshore and onshore.



 Power trading with regional countries among Nepal, Bhutan, India and Bangladesh was identified as long-term energy security option. For absorbing the shock of imported fuel dependent energy security emphasis was given on price adjustment of fuel and energy in local market. Stress was also given on Energy efficiency and energy security for fuel economy and emission control. Introduction of private sector at every segment of gas and energy value chain was also suggested.

Meeting With Bangladesh Sports Writers Association:
Attended a preparatory meeting of Bangladesh Sports Writers Association planning for creating an archive of sports organizers aged over 65 and making over 25 years contributions to the cause of sports development in Bangladesh. Had opportunity of meeting personalities like Abdul Tawhid, Ranjit Kumar Biswas, Ekramuzzaman, Selim Nazrul Huq, Fahim Hossain Chowdhury, Kohinoor and Zobera Rahman Linoo.This was considered a noble effort and this writer pledged whatever support possible to it.

Visit GTCL Compressor Stations at Ashuganj:
There was a pre-arranged visit to Gas Transmission Company Gas Pipeline Compressor Station at Ashuganj. Energy & Power Editor Mollah Amzad Hossain accompanied me in the visit. Engr Shamsur Rahman and Engr Billal Hossain were our guide. This writer while working as Director (Operation) GTCL masterminded the gas pipeline compressor stations for GTCL operated National Gas Grid in 2004. The concept required lot of persuasion to get across the policy makers. By 2005 till involuntary dissociation from Bangladesh Gas sector the conceptual design, front end engineering and design (FEED) were done. But unfortunately it took over 11 long years for GTCL compressor stations to come to the present state when Ashuganj Compressor station does not get enough gas at inlet to let both trains operate.  The Elenga Compressor station has become a luxury after commissioning of Bibiyana–Dhanua pipeline. For creating the designed compression ratio across Ashuganj Compressor station a steady supply of 1750-1800 MMCFD gas supply at Ashuganj is essential. But as significant volume of gas is now diverted through Bibiyana Dhanua pipeline that feed is not going to come ever. It was far better extending Rashidpoor–Ashuganj Loop line to Koillashtilla. The unimaginative adoption of Bibiyana–Dhanua pipeline has seriously impacted upon Gas Pipeline Compressor stations of GTCL and also forced GTCL absorb huge less utility investment.

A visit to GTCL installations have reasons to make this writer nostalgic remembering past glorious days. Compressor station EPCM contractor and GTCL engineers explained the operation and teething problems of compressor stations. GTCL could not carry out on stream pigging of upstream pipelines for several years. The accumulated condensate and sludge creates operational hazards for compressor stations. Already it caused extensive damage to filter separators of Elenga compressor station. We hope GTCL will carry out regular on stream pigging of all transmission pipelines for retaining the optimum operational capacity of its gas grid. It was also suggested to engage required numbers of technical manpower at compressor stations for taking over operation from EPCM contractor. The partly functional GTCL SCADA system must also be refurbished as soon as possible for synchronized gas grid operation. The liberation war and Language movement monuments at AGMS should also be better maintained.

Workshop at GTCL:
The writer made a keynote technical presentation at GTCL conference room to senior officials of GTCL on Challenges to Energy Vision 2030 and GTCL Challenges. The requirement for extensive techno economic feasibility study before undertaking major gas transmission infrastructure projects, review of financial impacts on cash flow came into discussions. GTCL over the past years have made huge investments in Gas Pipeline Compressor Stations and major large gas transmission pipelines. But unfortunately it failed to impress BERC in adjusting the wheeling charge. GTCL must get appropriate wheeling charges as the capitalization of huge recent investment will adversely impact upon its financial state. GTCL also requires giving priority to system operation as Operation of Gas Grid is its basic mandate. It was suggested that GTCL should deploy required numbers of senior and mid-level technical professionals in operational division to professionally manage Compressor station operations, SCADA. It must also develop and practice International standard Health Safety and Environment (HSE) for all its installations and assets. GTCL in near future will be required to operated LNG converted gas pipelines and deep water gas transmission facilities.

Another very important issue of stalemate situation of promotion of GTCL officers over the last few years came up in discussions pending disposition of a writ in court. GTCL Board and Petrobangla must resolve this as soon as possible as prevailing situation is bound to create adverse impact on the smooth functioning of GTCL operation.

Reception by GTCL Officers Association:
GTCL officer’s association accorded a brief reception to the writer as being its founding president. Various matters of welfare of GTCL officers were discussed from capacity building, career planning .The writer promised to make time for attending the 20 years ceremony celebration of GTCL sometime in December. The officials of GTCL officers association was advised to discuss and resolve the outstanding promotion situation. The writer pledged support for this and sympathized with those officers due for promotion for a long time.



Meeting With State Minister Power Energy & Mineral Resources:
The writer along with Energy & Power Editor Mollah Amzad Hossain made a courtesy call on Nasrul Hamid MP, state minister of Energy as per his desire. We discussed many matters of power and energy sector particularly the requirements of capacity development of technical and managerial personnel .The writer suggested for starting discussions with potential suppliers of coal and LNG and assured of support if required for dealing with Australian suppliers. Suggestions were also made for better maintenance of gas and Electricity transmission and distribution assets and introduction of pre-paid metering system as soon as possible. Suggestions were also given for adopting a fuel policy and adjusting pricing of fuel and electricity for making these markets based in view of imported fuel dependency in near future.

To be continued

BDST: 0904 HRS, SEP 04, 2015
RS