Gas discovery prompts BAPEX to drill 2-more wells in Jamalpur
Officials said preliminary tests showed signs of gas at a depth of about 2,600 metres
The recent discovery of gas reserves at a well in northern Jamalpur district has prompted the state-run Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company (BAPEX) to plan drilling two more wells in the area, officials said today (9 October).
"The process of formulating a Development Project Proposal (DPP) is underway as part of our initiative to drill two more wells at the Jamalpur structure to gauge the reserve volume and the extent of the gas field," an official familiar with the development told BSS.
He said one of the two proposed wells is intended for exploration, while the other is for development of the field.
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BAPEX, a subsidiary of Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla) — discovered the gas reserve at the Jamalpur-1 well in Madarganj upazila in June this year.
Bangladesh currently has 22 onshore blocks and 26 offshore blocks.
"We have discovered gas in Block-8 for the first time in the country through drilling of the Jamalpur-1 exploration well by BAPEX," Petrobangla spokesman and Deputy General Manager Tariqul Islam Khan told BSS.
Officials said preliminary tests showed signs of gas at a depth of about 2,600 metres. A gas-bearing layer was detected between 1,441 and 1,445 metres, and experts speculated there could be another layer further up in Jamalpur-1.
They said the discovery came five months after drilling began, marking the detection of the country's 30th gas field, which is expected to boost the nation's energy supply.
The Petrobangla spokesman said activities have been intensified to drill 50 more wells alongside "workovers" in 100 existing wells.
Experts explained that a workover refers to the costly process of pulling and replacing completion or production hardware to extend the life of existing wells.
Khan also said traces of petroleum were found during drilling of the Sylhet-10 well at Haripur gas field.
The Petrobangla official added that feasibility studies are underway to set up Bhola–Barishal and Bhola–Khulna pipelines to connect newly discovered gas to the national grid.
"Gas from Bhola will be connected to the grid after successful completion of drilling works and pipeline installation, which will play a vital role in the economic development of the southern part of the country," he said.
