Bangladesh has found the presence of 17 to 103 TCF (trillion cubic feet) of gas hydrates in Bay of Bengal. Citing a study Foreign Minister AK Abdul Momen on Wednesday disclosed this to the journalists on Wednesday.
Gas hydrates are crystalline solids in which molecules of a “guest” species occupy and stabilise cages formed by water molecules. The study has estimated potential natural gas hydrate deposits of 0.11 to 0.73 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) in its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) areas alone, which is equivalent to 17-103 Tcf of natural gas reserves.
The discovery of such huge reserve of gas hydrates is a landmark event. This huge amount of gas hydrate will be playing a vital role in meeting the overall demand of the country’s energy sector in coming days. Apart from gas hydrates, the survey also found presence of seaweed that could be used as raw material for manufacturing fish and animal feed and cosmetic products like soap and shampoo.
A complete seismic survey of all areas
of EEZ and
continental shelf
of Bangladesh will help determine the actual reserves
Blue economy has now become a new area to explore and it takes time to get benefits from any new sector. Although there are vast resources in the ocean, very little of those are being exploited for lack of resources and capacity.
Bangladesh import raw materials worth TK 28,000 crore every year for fish and animal feed and cosmetic products like soap and shampoo. Therefore, we have to make investments in this sector so that we will be able to produce these products in our country.
The government has established a significant domination on the country’s unlimited resources over an area of 1,18,000 square kilometers in the Bay resolving border disputes with its neighbouring countries within just four years.
And only 120 out of 475 species of white fishes, available in the Bay of Bengal, are being caught while only 6 to 7 among 36 species of shrimps are available for catching as the country’s deep sea fishing capacity only reaches 50-60 nautical mile.
The government and the private sectors will have to invest at various wings of blue economy to tap the full potential of blue economy. The scientific community also needs to come forward along with the government to explore the benefits of blue economy. Besides, the government will have to attract the foreign countries to invest in this sector.
