Petrobangla has accelerated oil and gas exploration to increase domestic supply and ease the country’s energy shortage.
The state agency plans to drill and work over 50 wells by 2025–26 and 100 wells by 2026–28, according to a press statement.
The latest progress includes a gas discovery in Block-8, where Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited, or BAPEX, found commercial gas at the Jamalpur-1 exploration well — the first discovery in the block.
To map the reservoir and its spread, two more wells — one exploration and one development — will be drilled. The development project proposal is being finalised, officials said.
Crude oil traces were also detected in the Haripur structure during drilling of the Sylhet-10 gas well. Petrobangla will drill the Sylhet-12 oil well next to assess commercial recoverability.
In Bhola, the country’s largest island, 19 more wells will be drilled to evaluate proven gas reserves. Gas produced in Bhola will supply a planned industrial hub on the island, which officials said could generate jobs and boost economic activity in the southern region.
Four deep wells are being drilled — two at Titas and Bakhrabad under Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Limited, and two at Srikail and Mobarakpur under BAPEX.
Seismic data acquisition, processing and interpretation are running in parallel by BAPEX, Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Limited and Sylhet Gas Fields Limited to identify fresh drilling targets.
Eight rigs are operating now — five owned by BAPEX and three deployed under turnkey contracts — working on eight wells.
Drilling of the Titas-28 development well will start on November 27, 2025 using a turnkey rig. Drilling of the Titas-31 deep exploration well is scheduled to begin in January 2026.
BAPEX will also hire a third-party contractor through open tender to drill five wells in Bhola. By January 2026, 11 rigs — five BAPEX-owned and six turnkey — are expected to operate at the same time. Two additional rigs are also being procured to expand BAPEX’s capacity.
Petrobangla estimates that the 11 wells will add 143 million cubic feet of gas per day to the national grid once completed.
The additional output is expected to curb import reliance, ease gas deficits and strengthen energy security, supporting power generation, industry and the wider economy.
