Bibiyana – the country’s largest natural source of gas in Habiganj – currently occupies 45 per cent of the total domestic extraction, it should however be noted that in the last two years, the gas field’s annual production declined by nearly 225 million cubic feet.
Due to the issue, stakeholders have voiced serious concerns regarding the domestic production of natural gas. Meanwhile, some officials of Petrobangla – the state-run agency – say Bibiyana will likely run out of gas in the next two years at the rate the gas production has been declining.
Petrobangla’s daily gas report shows that 1,128 MMcf/d of gas is currently being extracted from Bibiyana’s 26 wells. The figure was 1,230 MMcf/d in June last year and 1,351 MMcf/d in June 2021.
In other words, gas production of 223 MMcfD [million cubic feet per day] has decreased in Bibiyana within two years.
Officials of the US oil company Chevron Bangladesh – who operates Bibiyana gas field – also voiced concerns over the issue. They however added that the 27th well has been drilled under a gas exploration contract in the extended area of Bibiyana field since last year.
The possibility of getting gas here is promising. Chevron will then drill the 28th well in Bibiyana, say sources at Chevron Bangladesh.
Sounding a note of caution, experts told The Business Post that over-extraction of gas from Bibiyana – beyond its capacity – is putting the country’s largest gas field in danger.
According to Chevron Bangladesh, commercial production in Bibiyana began back in 2007. The gas field had a confirmed reserve of 5.2 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of the natural resource, and approximate extraction till date is around 4 Tcf.
There are 20 gas fields currently in production across Bangladesh.
Among those, only 15 per cent of the total gas comes from 16 fields, and 85 per cent comes from four others. Bibiyana is the top producer of gas in the country, singlehandedly occupying 45 per cent of the total extraction.
Petrobangla officials say the production rate of all the gas fields in Bangladesh has been declining steadily for a decade, but this trend was not observed at Bibiyana in previous years.
Discussing Bangladesh’s over-reliance on Bibiyana, one of Bangladesh’s leading experts Prof Badrul Imam recommended renovating the gas wells that had been closed for some time, and finding new wells to eventually replace Bibiyana.
Prof Imam, a teacher at Dhaka University, added, “Excess extraction of gas from a well beyond its capacity could cause sand to flow in.
This issue could damage the gas reservoir as well. Any further disruption in gas production at Bibiyana would trigger a crisis.”
A Chevron official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “Gas production at Bibiyana is declining rapidly. Gas is not infinite so it will run out. Water and sand are flowing in many wells, which means Bibiyana could run out of gas in the coming years.”
Chevron sees potential in new areas
Petrobangla signed a new agreement with Chevron Bangladesh in October last year to boost gas extraction from Bibiyana. Sources say Petrobangla and Chevron have already found the presence of underground gas in the area through 2D and 3D surveys.
As a result, the operator is conducting its 27th excavation in Bibiyana. Petrobangla expects to get 60 MMcfD from this well.
Chevron Bangladesh’s Communication Manager Shaikh Jahidur Rahman however declined to comment on the matter.
In a statement sent to The Business Post, he said, Chevron Bangladesh continues to work in partnership with Petrobangla to deliver the safe, reliable supply of affordable natural gas which is essential to help meet the country’s growing energy demand.
“Our team is always evaluating various opportunities.”
Petrobangla Chairman Janendranath Sarkar said, “The gas prospect that Chevron is exploring in the extended area of Bibiyana is quite good. Chevron will drill its 27th well this year. If it is successful, the 28th well will also be drilled.
“It is expected that the existing Bibiyana field will make up for the shortfall in production.”
