State-run Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (Bapex) plans drilling and workover of 48 wells under Petrobangla between January 2023 and December 2025 to explore and extract oil and gas in onshore areas to meet the increasing gas demand of the country.
At present, about 2,100 million cubic feet gas is being extracted daily from 20 gas fields out of 29.
It is to be noted that a total of 49 wells (12 exploration, six development and 31 workover wells) have been completed by Bapex since February 2014. The recent upward trend in fuel price hike rings an alarm bell for the government.
There is no alternative to exploration of new gas wells to ensure energy security in the country. The main driving force of a country’s economy is energy and power.
Keeping it in mind, the policymakers should come up with fresh steps and innovative ideas immediately in this regard. The Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources, Petrobangla and Bapex must work together to ensure energy security in the country and to that end, it should continue energy exploration in the map area of it.
At present, about 2,100 million cubic feet
gas is being extracted daily from
20 gas fields out of 29
The first well was drilled in Bangladesh in 1910. Since then, only 95 exploration wells have been dug in 110 years. In this way, 29 gas fields have been discovered. Since the country’s independence, 68 oil and gas exploration wells have been drilled in the country, while Indian state of Tripura drilled 160 exploration wells during the period. Apart from this, there are a few fields like Mubarakpur, Kasba and Kutubdia, which have not been declared commercially viable. The country was thought to have huge gas reserves only in the Sylhet area.
Keeping the Vision-2041 in mind, the government has undertaken a 20-year future plan for further natural gas extraction to ensure energy security in the country. The government should work relentlessly to ensure safe and adequate energy supply in the country. Natural gas accounts for 54 to 59 percent of the country's total commercial fuel. Bapex will have to be strengthened financially, mechanically and manpower for oil and gas exploration. Wells or gas fields have been left unused for fear of accidents due to high pressure but they should be dug by using advanced technology. Only timely and effective decisions can help the government to overcome any crisis. We hope the crisis would be overcome soon.
