-11 gas fields discovered in Tripura, adjacent to CHT, Gustavson reports on possibility
-International tender will be called in March
- There is still huge potential to get gas. Especially in southern and hilly areas are very promising.
Energy expert & geologist Prof Dr Badrul Imam
Petrobangla has taken a strong initiative to explore oil and gas in mountainous areas. Therefore, a new draft has been prepared by revising the Production Sharing Contract (PSC) made almost three decades ago for the land share. To finalize it, the state-owned organization wants to complete the recruitment of consultants by December. If the PSC is finalized by next March, Petrobangla wants to conduct large-scale gas exploration through international tenders. It is reported that the first exploration activities are planned to be carried out in gas block 22B in the highlands. The onshore Block 22B area is mainly hilly. It covers Bandarban's Thanchi, Ruma, Alikadam and Cox's Bazar's Chakria. Besides, some parts of Anwara and Kaptai have also been read. Petrobangla officials believe that there is a strong possibility of getting gas in this region. Because the neighboring country India got a huge amount of gas reserves by drilling wells in the border area of this block. Bangladesh also tried to explore for gas in the mountains under the initiative of BAPEX. But it could not be implemented due to lack of capacity. Therefore, experts believe that if foreign oil and gas companies are brought in for gas exploration in this region, success can be found quickly. Energy expert and geologist Professor Dr. Badrul Imam said, "There is still a huge potential to get gas in the land of the country. Especially the southern and hilly areas are very promising. 11 gas fields have been discovered by drilling 160 wells in the Indian state of Tripura, adjacent to the Chittagong Hill Tracts. But Bangladesh has dug only 14 wells in mountainous areas. Efforts should be made by all methods in search and recovery. The initiative for international tendering onshore is good. It should have been done earlier. If foreign companies show interest in working in these regions, it will be a positive aspect for Bangladesh.
According to Petrobangla sources, PSC draft has been prepared to strengthen gas exploration on land. Now it will be finalized by appointing a consultant. Petrobangla's aim is to actively explore gas in largely unexplored areas. From that target, the first work will be done in Block 22B of the hill region. After all the activities are completed, the international tender will be called in March.
When asked about this, Petrobangla Director (Production Sharing Contract) Engineer Md Rafiqul Islam said, "A draft has been prepared for gas exploration on land." Recruitment process of consultant is going to start soon. This process will be completed by December. And the international tender process will start next February-March. The onshore international tender process is being finalized just like the offshore tender.
After 1997, the onshore gas production sharing agreement was not renewed. The existing PSCs had no attractive proposition to attract foreign companies. That is why Petrobangla has brought several amendments in the draft proposal.
A number of foreign gas extraction companies were working under contract with local companies to explore for gas on the country's surface. But since the interim government came to power and suspended the Rapid Increase in Supply of Electricity and Energy (Special Provisions) Act, there is no chance of getting such work. Therefore, to strengthen gas exploration, Petrobangla wants to finalize the onshore PSC and allow foreign companies to work in the vacant onshore blocks.
Gas extraction at the local level has reduced drastically in the last decade in the country. Out of the gas fields that are in production, except for four or five, the production is negligible. Again, it is not possible to maintain the country's gas supply by importing liquefied natural gas (LNG) at a high price, said the sector stakeholders. That's why it is known that the initiative to call for tenders through PSC has been taken by making maximum use of BAPEX.
Bapex Managing Director (MD) Md Shoaib said, 'The recruitment process of consultants through Petrobangla for onshore gas exploration is in the final stage. If such activities can be started quickly on the ground, the gas exploration activities will increase in speed. Meanwhile, Colorado-based consulting firm Gustavson Associates presented a report on Bangladesh's gas reserves in 2011. In it, Gustavson Associates highlighted undiscovered gas fields on some areas. The report also highlights the sources of gas in the hills, especially in Bandarban. These include Barkal, Belachari, Changgutang, Gilachari, Gobamura, Kasalang, Matamuhuri, Sisak and Uttangchatra. BAPEX wanted to start gas exploration in these areas last year.
Speaking to the officials of Petrobangla and Bapex, it is known that only one gas field has been discovered in the last century in the three mountainous regions of the country. However, despite repeated efforts to find gas, the search in the mountains was not intensified due to unknown reasons. Earlier, BAPEX had formed a joint venture with a multinational oil and gas exploration company (IOC) to explore for gas in the mountains, but it did not see the light of day.
ZH
