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

The gas resource in Bhola is not 5.109 trillion cubic feet (tcf) but 2tcf, the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources clarified today (19 September).

Adviser on Electricity, Energy and Mineral Resources Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan disclosed the matter at a press briefing following a meeting with relevant departments and experts regarding media reports of 5.109tcf gas being identified in Bhola.

“If this information [5.109tcf gas resource] were correct, we would be celebrating today. There would not be any gas crisis anymore. We would not need to import gas,” said Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan.

“So, we are sitting 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,” added advisor Muhammad Fouzul Kabir Khan.

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

The Bapex official said, “We don’t have any seismic survey data in Bhola Charfesson. There is data of gas resources of 2.047tcf (1.432tcf recoverable) in Shahbazpur, Bhola and Ilisha gas fields. A total of 9 wells have been drilled so far in these three gas fields under Bhola district.”

He also said that according to the seismic data analysis report prepared jointly by Bapex and Gazprom in Bhola area, considering a 10% probability Charfession area in the southern part of Bhola district the gas resource is calculated as 2.686tcf and 2.423tcf in Shahbazpur, Bhola and Ilisha gas field areas in the new zone and between the gas fields. So, the total would be 5.109tcf. However this is an estimate considering 10% probability, it cannot be considered as proven reserves.

The report recommends 3D seismic survey in the said area to confirm the estimate.

In the same report, 1.134tcf with 90% probability in Charfession area and 0.675tcf as 90% probability in three gas fields and nearby areas, a total of 1.809tcf of gas were also confirmed.

Energy expert M Tamim said, 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. There they drill. If gas is found by drilling, they declare it as proven reserves.

He said, “We do not calculate any gas as reserves unless it is proven. The announcement of the resource is missleading. Bhola has a total gas reserves of 2 trillion cubic feet.”

Badrul Imam said that the new of finding 5tcf gas in Bhola is completely wrong. It cannot be considered a resource until you drill it.

Later, the energy advisor said, “We will start seismic survey and drilling at the place that is being talked about. A proposal to drill four wells was approved yesterday. I want to be optimistic. We need gas as lack of gas 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.

“We have taken the initiative to dig 100 more wells. What is now being considered immaterial, will become real one day,” he added.