New gas exploration works begin in Brahmanbaria

A state-run Bangladesh Gas Field Company Limited (BGFCL) has started drilling works to explore gas from 18,000 feet below the ground level in Brahmanbaria to increase gas supply in the country. 

"Usually, there is a possibility of huge gas resources in the depths of the ground. It would take us near to the source rock of gas. Once the drilling will be done up to 5,600 metres or 18,372 feet below the ground, this will be the deep well drilling," Engineer Abdul Jalil Pramanik, Managing Director of BGFCL said. 

Speaking at the deep well site in Brahmanbaria yesterday (4 May), he said that a modern rig (excavation machine) with 2,682 horsepower has been engaged to explore the gas from Borail layer where new gas reserves may be hidden. 

Jalil said that the country has a history of drilling wells up to a maximum depth of 4,900 metres, adding, "This time, an attempt is being made to cross that limit."

FERB chairman Azizur Rahman Ripon, executive director Shirajul Islam, vice chairman Hasan Azad and other members visited Titas-31 Deep Well site. 

The managing director was talking about the future, saying that after drilling this well, another well will be drilled in Bakhrabad using the same Chinese rig. 

"The exploration cost of these two deep wells will be Tk.594 crore."If everything goes well, it is expected to get 2 TCF (trillion cubic feet) of gas from these two wells. However, it will be known only after the drilling is done," he said. 

Currently the country has gas demand of around 3,800 mmcfd, while supply range is 2,600 to 2,700 mmcfd. 

Average of 1,000 mmcfd liquefied natural gas (LNG) is being imported to meet the demand. 

Replying to a question, he said that the drilling work of Titas- 31 will need 210 days. Its drilling work began on April 19. 

" So far, about 22 percent of the work has been completed. Bakhrabad well will need an estimated of 180 days," Jalil Pramanik expressed. 

Officials observed that gas reserves are in four levels of underground in Titas field. 

The first level is at a depth of 3,736 to 3,765 metres and the last level is 5,315 to 5,344 metres. Once the depth of 3,750 metres is crossed, the high-pressure area will be touched, the managing director said. 

"If this pressure cannot be handled, the entire drilling process will be ruined. Therefore, as an extra precaution, a blow-out preventer with a capacity of 15,000 PSI is being used. This time, safety has been ensured at the highest level by breaking the previous limit of 10,000 PSI," he said. 

Chinese state-owned company CCDC is carrying out the drilling work, as such a high-capacity rig was not available in the country, he added. 

Earlier, the Chinese company has experience in drilling 10,000 meters deep well in their country. Perhaps a new energy reserve is hidden beneath the ground in Titas.