2 wells to extract 56 Bcf gas, ECNEC clears Tk 646cr project
The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved two gas well drilling projects aimed at meeting the country’s growing energy demand.
If successful, the Dupitila-1 and Kailashtila-9 wells are expected to produce a total of 56 billion cubic feet (Bcf) of gas over the next decade.
The Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources has undertaken a project titled 'Dupitila-1 and Kailashtila-9 Wells (Exploration Wells) Drilling' with a budget of Tk 646 crore. The project will be implemented by Sylhet Gas Fields Limited (SGFL) and a Petrobangla-affiliated company between October 2024 and June 2026.
Key outcomes of the ECNEC meeting
A total of 10 projects, including the two gas exploration projects, were approved during the ECNEC meeting held on Wednesday at the NEC conference room in Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka.
The meeting, chaired by Chief Adviser Dr Muhammad Yunus, approved projects with a combined cost of Tk 4,246.90 crore.
The funding breakdown for the projects includes: Tk 3,632 crore from government funds,
Tk 205.79 crore from project loans, and Tk 408.92 crore from the implementing agencies' own funds.
Planning Adviser Dr Wahid Uddin Mahmud presented a summary of the projects after the meeting.
Expected gas production
If gas is found, the Dupitila-1 and Kailashtila-9 wells could produce up to 20 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) for the first five years and 12 mmcfd for the subsequent five years, contributing a total of 56 BCF over a decade.
Project Details
The project includes:
Drilling of two exploration wells—Dupitila-1 and Kailashtila-9
Hiring of foreign consulting services
Construction of a 14-kilometer gas gathering pipeline
Background
Currently, Sylhet Gas Fields Limited produces about 109 mmcfd of gas from 14 wells across the Sylhet, Kailashtila, Beanibazar, and Rashidpur gas fields.
Dupitila-1 Well:
Based on the 2017 Interpretation Report on Dupitila Prospect by BAPEX, three exploration wells were proposed for the Bhulitila structure. Among these, a Sylhet Gas Fields Limited committee recommended drilling the Dupitila-1 (Proposed-3) well.
Kailashtila-9 Well:
A 2018 3D seismic survey by foreign firm Escalberger Seiko Inch identified four prospects in the Kailashtila structure (SLB-1, SLB-2, SLB-3, and SLB-4). A committee formed by Petrobangla recommended drilling the SLB-4 prospect as the Kailashtila-9 exploratory well.
These two wells—Dupitila-1 and Kailashtila-9—have been prioritised under this project based on technical evaluations and recommendations.
