- Bhola's gas will be added to the national grid
- Possibility of obtaining 1.5 trillion cubic feet of gas
- Gas can be provided to industries, residents as per demand
- New industries including fertilizer factories will be set up
In the midst of the ongoing energy crisis, three gas fields in Bhola are signaling the sign of hope. The government is looking at the possibility of getting 1.5 trillion cubic feet of gas from the newly discovered two fields along with the nearly 30-year-old Shahbazpur gas field.
Bhola's North-2 gas well drilled by Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (BAPEX) will produce 20 million cubic feet gas daily, which will have a positive impact not only on Bhola district but also on the overall economy of the country.
At the beginning of March, Russian company Gazprom started drilling in the area adjacent to Maler Hat in West Ilisha Union of Bhola Sadar Upazila as per the design and direction of BAPEX. Gas was initially discovered in an area of about four kilometers wide on April 24 and other tests started after drilling. Then on April 28, when the existence of gas was found for the first time by lighting fire at the mouth of the well, BAPEX confirmed the existence and reserve of gas by testing it at three levels. Earlier, two more gas fields were discovered in Bhola. The two are Shahbazpur and Bhola North gas fields.
According to geologists, there are indications of the possibility of finding more gas in the island district. In this context, the government has taken initiatives for gas exploration in some more areas of Bhola and adjacent Meghna River. The concerned people said that Bhola's gas will play a massive role in the national economy in the near future.
At present, the proven reserves of three gas fields (Shahbazpur, Bhola North and Ilisha) in Bhola are about 1,433 bcf (billion cubic feet). The amount of gas extracted so far is 145 bcf. The three gas fields of the island district currently have more than 15 percent of the country's 8.46 trillion cubic feet (TCF) gas reserves.
The total gas production capacity of nine wells of three gas fields discovered in Bhola is 180 million cubic feet per day (mcf). However, due to lack of demand, the Shahbazpur gas field alone is producing 80 to 85 million cubic feet per day which is being supplied to three local power plants, some industries and homes for cooking.
If sufficient gas is available, the public representatives are thinking of setting up fertilizer factories like Gholashhar and Ashuganj. As a result, there will be no need to import fertilizer from outside. At present, the demand for fertilizer in the country is 27 lakh metric tons. Of this, 1.6 million tons are dependent on imports every year. This will save dollars and create jobs for the people of the country.
Meanwhile, businessmen are in dreadful condition over the gas crisis across the country. In such a situation, the energy department is on the way to construct a pipeline to supply Bhola gas to the national grid. This gas will go to Barisal and Patuakhali. Gas flow is expected to increase further in the future. The energy department has already done a privable study in the Bhola pipeline.
State Minister Nasrul Hamid said the government's goal is to ensure the best use of Bhola gas. Three power plants are running with a part of the gas extracted from here. This gas is being supplied to industrial factories and some residential connections as per demand. Still, gas remains surplus. The state minister said daily five million cubic feet of CNG (converted natural gas) is being supplied to Dhaka, especially where there is a shortage of gas in industries, adding that it will be increased to 25 million cubic feet in phases.
According to BAPEX sources, the process of setting up another 60 million cubic feet gas plant to produce gas from three production gas wells of Bhola North and Elisha gas fields is underway.
Petrobangla Chairman Zanendra Nath Sarkar said the daily demand for gas in the country is around 4,000 million cubic feet. And the supply is below three thousand million cubic feet. Of this, about 2100 million are being imported from domestic gas fields, and more or less 800 million are being imported. According to the 2041 plan, two LNG terminals will be launched in the country.
Energy expert and geologist Badrul Imam said the demand for gas has increased in the country due to massive urbanization and industrialization. The initiative to meet the supply deficit of domestic gas with imported LNG from abroad could not be successful for two reasons. First, LNG is a high-priced fuel. We lack the capacity to import the necessary LNG. Secondly, there is a lack of adequate sustainable management to bring LNG into the country and convert it into gas.
The Dhaka University professor also said that if Bangladesh wants to maintain international standards in gas exploration, it will have to emphasize on better technical management.
Prime Minister's Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Affairs Adviser Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury Bir Bikram said there is currently a crisis of gas in the country. Bhola gas will be supplied to the areas where gas problems are high. He said that there will be many challenges ahead, so can be taken in the same way. The source of the current problems began in Europe, not us; As a result, fuel prices have gone up, fertiliser prices have gone up and we are suffering.
ARS
