MULTI-DIRECTIONAL IMPACT OF SYSTEM LOSS IN NATURAL GAS DISTRIBUTION

摘要

The paper is intended to present the chronological findings of the research conducted over the last decade on quantification of unaccounted for gas (UFG) i.e. system loss and identification of its sources within the franchise area of Titas Gas Transmission & Distribution Company Ltd having a network of 7600 km. In fact, it is the largest natural gas marketing company of Bangladesh serving 813,500 customers and delivering alone over 800 MMCFT of the country’s per day gas consumption of about 1150 MMCFT. It has vividly transpired from the study that apart from some technical losses, bulk of the 20-30% distribution loss has occurred due to unauthorized and illegal use i.e. stealing of gas through meter and regulator manipulation including but not limited to meter by-pass by a large section of fraudulent customers. Such indulgence is not only jeopardizing safety and creating environmental hazards but also eating up a substantial part of the company’s profit. Consequently, the result and recommendation of the study has to be thought provoking to take steps right from reviewing gas sale contract down to redesigning regulatory provisions and operating patterns including gas marketing accessories. Such purpose of multi-directional impact evaluation would not only be of immense benefit towards alleviation of the situation of Titas Franchise Area (TFA) in Bangladesh in particular but also other concerned companies and countries of the world in general.