The abandoned oil field beneath a house in Shalbahan, Panchagarh, where operations were halted 38 years ago. The mouth of the oil field was cemented over, and homes were built on top of the site, leaving the mystery of its closure unresolved. Photo: TIMES
The oil field located in the village of Shalbahan Jugighach in the frontier town of Panchagarh’s Tetulia, that once captivated the nation, remains shrouded in mystery.
The site, which was once buzzing with excitement, is now a quiet testament to an unresolved enigma.
In 1987, seismic surveys discovered oil in the area, and in 1988, then-president Hussain Muhammad Ershad officially inaugurated the drilling project. The project, initially estimated to cost nearly Tk100 crore, garnered widespread attention from both domestic and international media.
The plan was to drill 8,000 feet into the earth to extract oil, with a French company being assigned the responsibility. Foreign engineers and experts frequently travelled by helicopter from upscale hotels in Dhaka to oversee operations.
However, within a week of the inauguration, the promising venture came to an abrupt halt. The operations ceased suddenly, and the company withdrew its efforts without providing a clear explanation. To this day, the reason behind the suspension of the project remains a mystery.
Locals recall the vibrant scenes of the time—large foreign machinery, vehicles, and helicopters were a common sight in the village, while many residents worked as masons, security guards, and laborers. Some still remember the visit of president Ershad, a memory that many in the area cherish, having seen a head of state for the first time in their lives.
There have been various theories regarding why the operations were halted. Some speculate that the same company moved its drilling activities to Jalpaiguri in India, where oil extraction is believed to still be ongoing. However, no definitive evidence has ever been provided.
Now, over three decades later, the once-bustling site lies abandoned, and the place where the oil well was located has been covered in cement. Some of the original workers still vividly remember the days when the area was alive with activity. They, too, continue to ask the same question: what happened to the oil?
The region has witnessed some protests, including human chains and other activities, demanding the resumption of operations. Local residents argue that reopening the field could significantly boost the local economy, help meet the country’s oil needs, and transform the agricultural sector of Tetulia, which is currently struggling. The mystery surrounding the project continues to stir curiosity and speculation.
Yusuf Aki, who now lives in one of the houses built on the former oil field site, says he personally witnessed the oil extraction process in 1988. “The field was operational for only a short time before it was suddenly shut down. I moved here in 2000, and if the government plans to restart the project, I will move my house to support the national interest,” he said.
Husen Ali, a local resident who worked as a mason during the oil field’s active period, shared similar sentiments: “I still don’t know why it was closed down. We could be extracting oil, just like India is doing across the border.”
Advocate Monowar Hossain Hanif, president of the Tetulia Shochetan Nagorik Committee, has expressed concern over the lack of transparency regarding the closure of the oil field. “We saw the oil was there. The government needs to take action to reopen the field,” he said.
Social activist and lawyer Ahsan Habib said, “The oil field was a national asset. We demand that the government investigate and restart the operations. The country’s energy sector could benefit greatly from this.”
Afroz Shaheen Khosru, the upazila nirbahi officer (UNO) of Tetulia, assured that a letter will be sent to the relevant ministries to reassess the potential of the oil field.
The unresolved mystery continues to haunt the residents of Shalbahan, leaving them wondering if the oil is still there.
