Amid an ongoing severe national energy crisis, commercially viable natural gas has been discovered at the Sundalpur South-1 exploration well in Rampur union under Noakhali district.
Operated by Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (Bapex), this is set to become the country’s 31st gas well and the 6th gas well in Noakhali district.
Jointly funded by the government and Bapex, excavation and drilling work began on 8 July using the rig “Bijoy-10.”
Following nearly four months of work, the presence of desired natural gas was confirmed in two distinct zones at a depth of 3,289 metres, against an initial target depth of 3,300 metres.
According to Bapex, the well holds a total estimated reserve of 97.69 billion cubic feet (BCF) of natural gas.
Calculations indicate that an average of about 15 million cubic feet per day of gas can be extracted from this well over the next 20 years, carrying an estimated market value of Tk5,809 crore.
Expressing delight over the discovery, Md Masudur Rahman, upazila nirbahi officer of Companiganj, said that initial estimates indicate around 10 million cubic feet per day will be extracted to connect to the national grid, making a key contribution to the national economy.
While local residents expressed excitement over the achievement, they demanded priority for addressing local residential and commercial gas shortages alongside the national grid supply.
Following this initial success, a 15-day “Drill Stem Test” (DST) will be conducted at the well to confirm whether any other mineral components are present in the gas.
Against the backdrop of the countrywide energy crisis, the Sundalpur South-1 well offers renewed hope for national energy security and local residents alike.
Earlier on 6 October, natural gas was also discovered following the completion of drilling at the “Sundalpur-4 evaluation-cum-development well” in Boro Charigaon village of Nabipur union under Senbag upazila of Noakhali.
DST testing is currently underway there to determine total reserves, with initial estimates suggesting an addition of 7 million cubic feet per day to the national grid.
