Bangladesh has launched a deep gas exploration programme by drilling up to 18,000 feet beneath the surface in Brahmanbaria, as the country continues to face a prolonged natural gas shortage affecting households, industries, and power generation.
The Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Limited (BGFCL) began the high-risk drilling operation on Monday at the Titas-31 well, aiming to unlock new reserves from deep geological formations.
Officials said the project marks the deepest exploration attempt in the country’s history, surpassing the previous maximum drilling depth of 4,900 metres.
BGFCL Managing Director Engineer Abdul Jalil Pramanik said the current target depth is 5,600 metres (18,372 feet).
“We are moving closer to the source rock where significant gas potential may exist. This is a critical step to expand domestic supply,” he said during a visit to the site.
A modern 2,682-horsepower rig, operated with support from China’s state-owned CCDC, is being used for the drilling. Officials said such high-capacity equipment had not previously been available in Bangladesh.
Addressing widening gas deficit
The drilling project is part of broader efforts to address the country’s growing gas shortage. Current demand stands at around 3,800 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd), while supply ranges between 2,600 and 2,700 mmcfd. The shortfall is partly met through liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports of around 1,000 mmcfd, which come at a high cost.
Pramanik said the Titas-31 well will take about 210 days to drill, with roughly 22% of the work already completed.
A second deep well in Bakhrabad is also planned and is expected to take around 180 days. The combined investment for both wells is estimated at Tk594 crore.
Officials estimate that the two wells could potentially yield up to 2 trillion cubic feet (TCF) of gas, although they emphasised that actual reserves will only be confirmed after drilling and testing are completed.
High-pressure zones and safety measures
According to project data, the Titas field contains multiple potential gas-bearing layers between depths of 3,736 metres and 5,344 metres.
Once drilling crosses 3,750 metres, engineers expect high-pressure zones, requiring advanced safety systems.
To manage risks, a 15,000 PSI blowout preventer is being used, significantly higher than previous safety standards. Officials said strict safety protocols have been put in place to prevent any uncontrolled pressure incidents during drilling.
Experts say successful exploration could provide meaningful relief to Bangladesh’s ongoing energy crisis. However, they caution that outcomes remain uncertain until full geological testing is completed.
Bd-pratidin English/ ANI
