Gas crisis to resolve soon as Bibiyana returns to normal production

The ongoing gas crisis in different parts of the country, including the capital, which emerged due to a mechanical error at the Bibiyana gas field on Saturday is going to be resolved soon with the field's return to normal production. 

Out of six wells at the onshore field, four have already resumed gas supply, while the remaining two are being fixed, officials familiar with the matter told The Business Standard. 

"Immediately after the problem appeared, we took prompt action and sent a three-member committee there. The field operator of Chevron also worked hard. Therefore, we could bring a well into operation within the first day of the incident," said Nazmul Ahsan, chairman of Petrobangla, the state-owned agency working for the energy security of the country. 

"Out of six wells there, four are now okay and another one is returning to supply by tomorrow [Thursday]," he told The Business Standard, adding that the remaining well, however, would take a few more days to be fixed.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Power Energy and Mineral Resources, in a press statement, said the Bibiyana gas field had almost fully resumed after a four-day emergency maintenance work.

"The sudden gas supply shortage at the field caused low gas pressure in some parts of the country from the first day of Ramadan. However, we have begun to overcome this crisis as the field is producing 1100mmcf of gas per day now, thanks to the tireless work of our experienced engineers," it added.

The ministry further assured that an additional 70mmcf of gas per day would be added to the national grid. Besides, a cargo of liquefied natural gas has managed to address the crisis which is expected to arrive by Thursday.  

As of Tuesday, the Bibiyana gas field produced 1,000mmcf gas, while the total supply to the national grid was 2,713mmcf, according to Petrobangla. Usually, the onshore gas field, located in Habiganj, supplies 1,250mmcf gas per day.