Move to drill 108 gas wells by 2019

The government plans to drill 108 wells for gas exploration within June 2019.

As part of this plan, Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Ltd (BAPEX) has decided to conduct the 2D seismic survey in 3,000 line km-area under block-8 and block-11.

The area includes Kishoreganj, Narsingdi, Gazipur, Tangail, Jamalpur, Sherpur, Mymensingh, Netrakona and Sunamganj.

The Cabinet Committee on Public Purchase approved a proposal for hiring a private firm to supply 900 workers for the 2D seismic survey in the area.

The committee gave the approval at a meeting on Wednesday. Finance Minister AMA Muhith presided over the meeting.

As per the Energy Division proposal, private company Arneeb Enterprise will supply 900 workers of different grades for the 2D seismic survey at a contract value of Tk 265.4 billion.

The private firm was selected under the Speedy Increase of Power and Energy Supply Act 2010 through shortlisting firms.

The cabinet body meeting also approved three more proposals, including one for importing 25,000 tonnes of fertiliser from Saudi Arabia.

The committee also gave its nod to a proposal to procure well completion materials for Kashba-1 and Salda (North)-1 wells for drilling work.

The body also approved proposal is to procure necessary machinery for operation of BAPEX'S own drilling ring.

According to UNB, a number of foreign firms won the contract under different lots at different costs.

The committee approved the Agriculture Ministry's proposal to import 25,000 tonnes of DAP fertiliser from MA'ADEN company of Saudi Arabia at a cost of $9.731 million. Each tonne fertiliser will cost $389.25.

Bangladesh Agriculture Development Corporation (BADC) will import the fertiliser as part of its deal to procure a total of 2.25 million tonnes of fertiliser from the Saudi company.