Production at Bangladesh’s Eastern Refinery Limited, the sole state-owned oil refinery, has been suspended due to a crude oil shortage. The halt occurred on April 14, 2026, affecting two major units, while a third unit continues partial operations, producing minimal petrol and octane.
Monir Hossain Chowdhury, spokesperson for the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, confirmed the suspension of the eastern refinery. However, refinery officials declined to comment on the situation. The shortage is attributed to disruptions linked to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East, particularly affecting oil shipments from Saudi Arabia.
A crude oil shipment remains delayed in Saudi Arabia, depleting local stocks since early April. Previously, the refinery managed operations through alternative measures starting April 5, 2026. Eastern Refinery typically processes 4,500 tonnes of crude oil daily, producing various fuels like octane, petrol, diesel, and furnace oil.
Recently, production was reduced to 3,500 tonnes per day due to the shortage. Import suspensions have persisted for nearly two months amid instability from the US-Israel conflict with Iran. The next crude shipment is anticipated in early May.
Despite the production halt, officials assure there is no immediate risk of a national fuel shortage. The government has secured sufficient reserves of refined petroleum, albeit at higher costs since the conflict began.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, April 15, 2026
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