Bhola gas resource 2 tcf, not 5.1tcf: Energy ministry

The Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources has clarified that Bhola's gas reserve is not 5.109 trillion cubic feet (tcf) as previously reported by the media, but stands at 2tcf.

"If this information [of 5.109tcf gas resource] was correct, we would be celebrating today. There would not be any gas crisis. We would not need to import gas anymore," Energy Adviser M Fouzul Kabir Khan said today (18 September) at a press briefing following a meeting with relevant departments and experts regarding media reports of 5.109tcf gas being discovered in Bhola.

"So, we sat today with experts in the gas sector and those who have knowledge about gas reserves – energy expert M Tamim, an expert on gas reserves who is currently in Canada, Hosne Ara, Professor Badrul Imam of Dhaka University's Geology Department, and some others," he said.

At this time, the adviser requested the officials of the Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (Bapex) to present the information about gas reserves in Bhola.

A Bapex official said, "We do not have any seismic survey data in the Bhola Char Fasson area. There is data of gas resources of 2.047tcf [1.432tcf recoverable] in Shahbazpur, Bhola and Ilisha gas fields. A total of nine wells have been drilled so far in these three gas fields of Bhola district."

He added that the seismic data analysis report, jointly prepared by Bapex and Gazprom for the Bhola area, suggests a total of 5.109tcf, based on a 10% probability.

However, since this figure is an estimate with a 10% probability, it cannot be classified as proven reserves.

The report recommends conducting a 3D seismic survey in the area to validate the estimate.

The same report confirmed 1.134tcf of gas in the Char Fasson area with a 90% probability and 0.675tcf with the same probability in three gas fields and surrounding areas, amounting to a total of 1.809tcf of gas.

Energy expert M Tamim said the seismic survey is done first to determine gas reserves. Then, by looking at the survey data, the companies decide where the probability of finding gas is the highest.

"If gas is discovered through drilling, it qualifies as proven reserves. We do not count any gas as reserves unless it is proven. The previous resource announcement is misleading – Bhola has around 2tcf of proven gas reserves," he said.

Badrul Imam also said the finding of 5tcf of gas in Bhola is not confirmed. "It cannot be considered a resource until you drill it," he said.

Later, the energy adviser said, "We will start seismic survey and drilling at the place that is being talked about. A proposal to drill four wells was approved today[18 September Ecnec meeting].

"I want to be optimistic. We need gas as lack of it is disrupting our power generation. Production of our industries is disrupted due to gas. We want to extract gas from anywhere there is potential. We want to use it for the welfare of the nation."

The adviser said, "We have taken the initiative to dig 100 more wells. What is now being considered immaterial will become real one day."