The government is going to buy three gas fields of Nabiganj Bibiana of Habiganj, Jalalabad of Sylhet and Moulvibazar. The secretary of Energy and Mineral Resources Division Nazim Uddin Chowdhury gave this hint a seminar organized on occasion of the Energy Security Day at Petro Center in the city on Wednesday.
Nazim Uddin Chowdhury said, as Bangabandhu purchased five gas fields taking a bold decision, his worthy daughter Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is going to take such bold decision. Hopefully, you will get this good news. It is mentionable that the US company Chevron wants to sell out Jalalabad and Moulvibazar gas fields.
Chevron Bangladesh has recently inked a primary deal with a Chinese company. But Petrobangla is talking about purchasing these from the beginning. The people concerned see the hint of the energy secretary in this situation as 'positive'.
The energy secretary also said, the development is being hampered due to gas. None can say this after one year. New connections will be given to 350 factories in Chittagong next year.
According to information provided by Petrobangla, the daily production capacity of Jalalabad is 260 mcf. On an average 270 mcf gas was extracted till last year. The daily extraction capacity of Bibiyana gas field is 1,200 mcf against which Chevron extracted 1,230 mcf- 1,250 mcf till last year. At present, 45% gas is extracted from these three gas fields.
Informing about importing Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) as an alternative to gas, the energy secretary said, it has been appeared justified to import LNG with small vessels. If we can carry gas to different parts of the country through rivers with small vessels, there will be no gas problem.
The Energy Regulatory Council Chairman Monowar Islam, Petrobangla Chiarman Abul Mansur Mohammad Faizullah, BPC Chairman Abu Hena Rahmatul Munim and others addressed the function chaired by the energy secretary.