The New Nation - Internet Edition

BSS, Dhaka

The government has taken massive steps including drilling of new wells and pigging of the transmission pipes for increasing uninterrupted supply of gas to the consumers in the country particularly in Chitagong area.

" I can assure the countrymen that there will be no crisis of gas supply during the next five years and thereafter as government is increasing gas production against the demand," Energy and Mineral Resources Adviser Tapan Chowdhury said at a press briefing at his secretariat office here on Thursday.

The power plants in the country have been advised to switch to coal-based system after 2012 because gas is non-renewable energy, the adviser said in reply to a query.

" There is no possibility of increasing prices of gas, oil and electricity at this moment, the adviser categorically said while replying another question.

He also gave a brief resume of strengthening the local gas exploring company BAPEX.

While explaining the present situation of gas supply, Energy Secretary ANN Nasiruddin said, " There is no shortage of gas production now. But the problem lies with infrastructural facilities and that will be removed shortly".

He said the government has taken some emergency measures to meet the future demand of gas in different parts of the country including Chitagong area.

The measures include the online pigging of Bakhrabad- Chitagong transmission pipeline to begin in November next Pigging of other pipelines will be done by June, 2008 in phases and increase of 15 cft gas supply to Chitagong area daily.

The short-term programme includes increasing production of 40m cft gas from Bakhrabad and Meghna gas field and drilling of two wells at Feni gas field.

The short and mid-term programme includes development of Semutang gas field in Khagrachhari, Begumganj gas field, well drilling in Kapasia gas field, re-exploration at Srikail and Sundalpur gas fields, drilling of new wells in Salda River gas field.

Besides, the international oil companies will conduct some exploration and development programme in Moheshkhali, Hatia and 17 and 18 blocks near seashore.

The objective of the long-term programme is calling bids for Bangladesh Offshore Bidding Round, 2007 possibly at the end of the current year with the target of producing offshore gas by 2015.