Petrobangla has announced plans to expedite the drilling of seven wells from its ambitious 100-well project, originally scheduled for the 2026–2028 period, in a bid to strengthen the country’s gas production.
The decision is part of a broader initiative to intensify hydrocarbon exploration and development.
Rezanur Rahman, chairman of Petrobangla, stated that multiple initiatives have been undertaken to increase domestic gas output.
“As part of these efforts, we have decided to advance the drilling of seven of the most promising wells this year. Additionally, workover operations on several existing wells are also in progress. We expect this move to significantly boost domestic gas production,” he said.
The 100-well drilling initiative, launched in 2024, comprises 69 exploration and development wells and 31 workover wells.
State-owned exploration company BAPEX is responsible for drilling 52 exploration and development wells along with conducting workover operations on 31 wells.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Gas Fields Company is tasked with drilling nine new wells and overhauling 12 existing ones, while Sylhet Gas Fields Company will oversee the drilling of eight new wells and workover operations on three others.
Petrobangla has estimated the total project cost at Tk19,050 crore, with Tk5,722 crore sourced from the Gas Development Fund (GDF) and company resources, while the government is expected to contribute Tk13,328 crore.
Initially planned for completion between 2026 and 2028, the interim government has now finalised plans to expedite the drilling of seven wells from this allocation.
A senior official from the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that several adjustments are being made to the 100-well project.
“An updated priority list is being developed, focusing on wells with the highest potential where gas can be swiftly added to the pipeline network,” the official said.
The prioritised list reportedly includes nine wells under BAPEX and five under Sylhet Gas Fields and Bangladesh Gas Fields Company. BAPEX is currently preparing separate Development Project Proposals (DPPs) for three of its wells, with the Begumganj-5 and 6 and Sunetra-2 projects leading the approvals process.
Feasibility studies are ongoing for Begumganj-7, Char Laxmi-1, and Semutang-1, while Subarnachar-1, Noakhali-1, and Sundalpur-5 are at a similar stage.
Another senior official from Petrobangla, also speaking anonymously, indicated that among the 69 exploration wells, nearly half are considered contingent wells.
“The strategy involves confirming gas presence in exploration wells before transitioning them into development wells. Consequently, at present, only about 35 wells can be drilled immediately, with the rest following as required,” the official explained.
For instance, if drilling at Jakiganj-2 proves successful, then Jakiganj-3 will be pursued accordingly.
Currently, Petrobangla is also overseeing a separate 48-well drilling project, later expanded to 50 wells, slated for completion by 2025.
This project initially included 17 BAPEX wells, later increased to 18. Of these, 10 wells have already been completed, while drilling is ongoing at the Jamalpur well.
Work is set to commence shortly at Srikail-5, Sundalpur-4, and Sundalpur South-1.
Tenders have been invited for the drilling of Bhola North-3 and 4, Shahbazpur-5 and 7, and Shahbazpur North East-1.
The most delayed wells under this project are Jakiganj-1 and 2, as BAPEX has yet to finalise their DPPs due to delays in the three-dimensional seismic report.
Energy experts have long attributed Bangladesh’s gas crisis to stagnation in exploration efforts.
Petrobangla has frequently been criticised for its sluggish approach, with experts pointing out that only 99 exploration wells have been drilled in Bangladesh over the past 112 years.
Now, Petrobangla is attempting to drill 69 wells within just three years—a target some consider overly ambitious but nonetheless critical for the nation’s energy security.
Professor Dr Badrul Imam of the University of Dhaka’s Department of Geology underscored the necessity of persistence in exploration.
“If we abandon drilling after a few unsuccessful attempts, we will never make significant discoveries. In Rajasthan, Unocal encountered 13 consecutive dry wells before their geologists, taking a calculated risk, drilled the 14th well—leading to India’s largest gas discovery,” he noted.
Similarly, at a seminar on Petrobangla’s 100-well project, Professor Dr Anwar Hossain Bhuiyan of the University of Dhaka’s Geology Department remarked, “If we drill 25 wells without success but strike gas in the 26th, the economic value of that discovery would far exceed the cumulative cost.”
As Bangladesh grapples with rising energy demand and depleting reserves, Petrobangla’s accelerated drilling strategy may prove instrumental in securing the nation’s future energy stability.
