Introduction

In the year 1982-85, a pilot project was undertaken by Petrobangla to ascertain the feasibility of using natural gas in the form of CNG in vehicle as an alternative fuel with the financial assistance of the World Bank. Based on the result of CNG Pilot project, Compressed Natural Gas Company Limited started its activity on 1st July, 1987. The main objective of this company was to ensure management of technically acceptable and environment friendly alternative fuel for vehicles reducing the dependency on imported petroleum product through popularizing the use of CNG in transport sector. Afterwards according to the government's decision, CNG and LNG project was merged into Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited (RPGCL) on 9th February 1991.

Functions

1. To set up CNG refueling station and CNG conversion workshop at government and nongovernmental levels, interested organizations are provided approvals and possible assistance in other related works.
2. To set up CNG refueling station and CNG conversion workshop, whether the equipments proposed for importing are compatible to the international level or standard are tested and advices are provided accordingly.
3. Assistances are provided in order to speed up the activities and needful synthesize with gas marketing companies and necessary advices to provide gas connectivity to CNG refueling station.
4. Permission given to commence commercial activities and certificate awarded on completion of the project by testing whether the equipments of the organizations approved by RPGCL has been set up according to technical direction.
5. Assistance is provided to award certificate by Department of Explosives.
6. Necessary assistance is provided to award SRO certificate by ministry.
7. Regular monitoring of the progress of activities of the approved organizations.
8. Monitoring the CNG refueling stations and CNG conversion workshops whether the direction related to security is perfectly observed. Basically RPGCL is the advisor of all the activities related to CNG and is carrying out duties as One-stop Service.

Present Status

Under the Annual Development Programme (ADP), a NGL fractionation Plant in Kailashtila, Sylhet with the capacity of producing 110 metric tons per day is under commercial operation. The implementation of Dhaka Clean Fuel Project (RPGCL part) ,financed by ADB, is progressing, which is entrusted with installation of 26 CNG Filling Stations in 6 major highways, importation of 5,000 CNG Conversion Kits and 6,000 NGV Cylinders, procurement of 100 CNG buses by private operators through Commercial Banks/Leasing Companies etc, setting up of a CNG Conversion Workshop at Dhania, Dhaka, upgrading of existing Conversion Workshop at Joarshahara, Dhaka, imparting overseas training to Engineers etc. A total of 500 refueling stations have been set up in the country.