The interim government has repaid Tk 8,702 crore in debt left by the ousted Awami League government in the gas sector. This amount was paid for gas purchases from international oil companies (IOCs), LNG imports and terminal rentals, and interest on loans from the International Islamic Trade Finance Corporation (ITFC), according to Petrobangla sources.

Since last August, Petrobangla has repaid a total of Tk 45,253 crore in the gas sector, including debts. When the interim government assumed office, the outstanding dues amounted to Tk 8,702 crore. These included bills for LNG imported under long-term contracts and from the spot market, payments to two floating LNG terminals, and interest on ITFC loans. The deadline to clear these dues was June, but Petrobangla settled them ahead of time.

As a result, there are now no outstanding payments to IOC companies like Chevron and Tullow; LNG suppliers under long-term contracts such as Qatar Energy and Oman's OQ Trading; spot market LNG suppliers; FSRUs (floating storage regasification units); or the ITFC.

To help with the repayments, the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) loaned Tk 2,000 crore to Petrobangla, easing the debt burden.

Petrobangla stated that clearing these overdue debts could positively impact the country's credit rating. Confidence among spot market LNG suppliers in Petrobangla is also expected to increase, which may foster greater competition and potentially reduce LNG import costs through lower premium charges.