Petrobangla, the state oil, gas and mineral corporation, sits at the centre, with group companies handling particular functions. Rupantarita Prakritik Gas Company Limited is involved in LNG import and regasification arrangements, Gas Transmission Company Limited operates the national transmission network, and regional companies handle distribution. The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources sets policy, and the Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission regulates tariffs and certain licensing matters. Knowing which entity signs, which approvals it needs and whose credit stands behind its obligations is one of the first diligence points on any LNG or gas infrastructure project in Bangladesh.

Payment risk is commercial as well as legal. Suppliers typically rely on letters of credit, standby letters of credit or other bank support, clear payment terms with interest on late payment, suspension rights and termination triggers, and arbitration outside Bangladesh. Foreign exchange availability can affect the speed of payment even where the buyer is willing, so the documents should expressly anticipate Bangladesh Bank processes and remittance timing. We review the security package, the buyer's authority to sign and the approvals behind it, and explain realistically how an arbitral award would be enforced against assets located in Bangladesh.

It can be any of these, and the label matters less than the risk allocation. Many projects combine a charter or terminal use agreement for the vessel with a separate regasification services agreement and marine works contracts. The legal characterisation affects corporate and withholding tax, customs, registration, insurance and how claims are pursued if the unit is unavailable. We review all of the documents together, check their treatment under Bangladesh tax and customs law, and make sure capacity payments, availability deductions, maintenance windows and termination payments operate consistently across every part of the gas infrastructure package.

The law that allowed power and energy projects to be awarded without competitive tender, and limited legal challenge to those awards, was repealed by ordinance in late 2024. Since then, contracts awarded under it have been reviewed, and new projects face greater scrutiny of procurement, pricing and approvals. For investors, the practical consequence is that a clean procurement record, documented approvals and transparent pricing are now central to project bankability. We review how an existing project was procured, identify any legal exposure, and advise on structuring new gas infrastructure projects so that they can withstand later review.

The Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission determines gas tariffs following its procedures, which include public hearings, and also handles certain licensing matters. Government policy decisions and subsidies also affect prices in practice. Investors and large users can participate in the hearing process and make written submissions. Where a decision appears unlawful or procedurally unfair, appeal routes or judicial review in the High Court Division may be available, depending on the decision. We advise on submissions, building the regulatory record and the realistic options for challenge, bearing in mind the long-term commercial relationship with state counterparties and offtakers.

Private participation is possible, but gas infrastructure in Bangladesh is closely linked to the state sector, and most projects involve Petrobangla group companies as counterparties, offtakers or owners. Routes include competitive tender, PPP arrangements, joint ventures and government-to-government frameworks, each with its own approvals, timetable and competition. A private developer will also need land rights, environmental clearance, construction and operating permits, and connection agreements with the relevant transmission or distribution company. We assess the available routes for a particular project, advise on structure and approvals, and identify the points that lenders and credit agencies will examine before committing finance.

Most international LNG sale and purchase agreements and terminal contracts provide for arbitration, often seated in Singapore or London under institutional rules. Domestic contracts with Bangladesh entities may provide for arbitration in Bangladesh under the Arbitration Act 2001 or for court proceedings. Price review disputes may follow a specific expert or arbitration procedure in the contract. Bangladesh is a party to the New York Convention, so foreign awards can be enforced through the Bangladesh courts, though timing in the courts can be unpredictable. We plan disputes strategy with enforcement in mind from the first notice of claim onwards.

Usually, yes, in some form. Pipelines or supply arrangements crossing borders typically rest on agreements between governments or state entities, covering transit rights, customs treatment, taxation, safety standards, security and dispute resolution, with commercial contracts sitting underneath. Public international law, treaty commitments and investment protection may become relevant if something goes wrong. We advise on the Bangladesh law side of cross-border gas infrastructure structures, the interaction between intergovernmental and commercial documents, and how private investors and lenders can protect their position if political relationships, sanctions positions or regulatory policies change over the life of the project.