Exploring the significance of seven new gas wells

Bangladesh is a rapidly developing country with a growing population and economy. As the country continues to progress, the demand for energy is increasing exponentially. At present, Bangladesh is heavily dependent on imported gas to meet its energy needs. However, the country has significant potential for gas exploration and production, and extracting gas from local wells can go a long way in meeting the needs of the Bangladeshi people.

The extraction of gas from local wells has several benefits for the Bangladeshi people. Firstly, it will help reduce the coun-try’s dependence on imported gas, which will not only improve the country’s energy security but also reduce its vulnerabil-ity to fluctuations in international gas prices. Additionally, extracting gas from local wells will create new job opportunities and boost the country’s economy.

Moreover, the extraction of gas from local wells will reduce the country’s carbon footprint and contribute to the global fight against climate change. Imported gas is often transported over long distances, resulting in significant greenhouse gas emissions. In contrast, extracting gas from local wells requires much less transportation, which significantly reduces emis-sions.

The government has taken the initiative to dig more wells and reactivate the older inactive wells through re-digging or work over in the gas fields to curb the ongoing gas shortage in the country.

The authorities concerned have already started the work over of the inactive gas wells, with the aim to re-activate all of them and produce gas within 2024.

According to sources in Sylhet Gas Fields Limited, there are 24 gas wells in Sylhet and 13 of them are operational with a production capacity of 94 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d).

The rest 11 wells have been inactive for the past four-five years and seven of them are now being repaired. Meanwhile, the government has also undertaken the initiative to dig seven new wells to tackle the ongoing gas shortage. The digging works will start in June-July.

In addition to the seven gas wells in Sylhet, another one has been discovered in the island of Bhola on Friday. According to Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (BAPEX), around 20-22 million cubic feet of gas can be extracted daily from this well.

Around 160-166 MMcf/d gas would be produced from the seven repaired wells and the seven new wells once they are op-erational. This will take the total gas production in Sylhet Division to around 260 MMcf/d. The new gas wells will be situat-ed one each in Sylhet-10, Sylhet-11 and Kailashtilla-8 and 9; two in Ra-shidpur-11 and 13 at the Rashidpur Gas Field in Habi-ganj; and another one will be dug in Dhupitila.

There are also challenges associated with the extraction of gas from local wells. The process requires significant invest-ment in infrastructure, including drilling rigs, pipelines, and storage facilities. Moreover, there are environmental concerns associated with gas exploration and production, including soil erosion, water pollution, and air pollution.

To ensure that the extraction of gas from local wells is done in a sustainable and responsible manner, the government must put in place appropriate policies and regulations. Additionally, the government needs to create a regulatory framework that promotes transparency and accountability in the gas sector. The regulatory framework should ensure that gas produc-tion is done in compliance with environmental laws and regulations, and that the revenues generated from gas extraction are used for the benefit of the country.