New gas reserves found in Bhola

The Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (BAPEX) has found gas in Bhola North-2 well, at a time when factories and residences are facing energy shortages.

Confirming the matter to the media on Monday evening, the Ministry of Power Energy and Mineral Resources says the BAPEX are hoping to extract 20 MMCf/d gas from this well.

Insiders say Bapex started drilling on December 5 last year and found gas 3,528 meters into the well through a Netherlands-based company Gazprom EP International BV.

A senior official of Bapex said a drill stem test (DST) was started at 5pm Monday and the quantity of stock and daily extraction could be known after 72 hours.

It should be noted that without installing a gas pipeline from the island district Bhola to the mainland, the benefits of finding any new gas reserves may not reach the nation properly.