The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

Dr. M Tamim, the newly appointed Special Assistant to the Chief Adviser, Sunday said his priority would be to expedite the process of inviting international bids for hydrocarbon exploration in the country's deep sea territory.

"This is one of my priority areas as the country has been facing gas shortage… many thought the country's natural gas will be depleted within 10-15 years. But I don't agree with them if we take steps for more exploration," he told reporters after taking charge of the Energy Division of the Power, Energy and Mineral Resource Ministry.

The caretaker government moved for holding international bidding for deep sea hydrocarbon exploration and now the relevant documents are being scritinised by an interministerial committee headed by the Energy Secretary.

The proposal and documents were placed to a high level Cabinet body to approve. But the body formed the committee for further scrutiny of the documents.

Dr. Tamim, the BUET's professor-turned Special Assistant, who has vast knowledge in energy sector and also earlier had discharged his duty as technical expert and member of many technical committees on energy issues, said his target is to complete the 3rd round gas block bidding within a short time so that the next dry season could be utilized for exploration. He said he would initiate a move to develop an energy roadmap comprising short, medium and long term planning.

The long-term plan should be for 25 years while medium-term plan should be for 10-15 years and the short-term one for immediate action, he said, adding this would be year-wise workable plans determining what kind of works are to be done in which year.

Dr. Tamim, a professor of Petroleum and Mineral Resources Engineering Department of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), was also one of the vital members of the national committee formed in 2002 to ascertain the country's gas reserves.

About the tri-nation gas pipeline from Myanmar to India via Bangladesh, he said: "I am positive to any such pipeline whether it is regional or international. Because, Bangladesh needs to be connected with such gas network for its own benefit and energy security so that when we face shortage, we can take gas from that network."

On the price-hike of petroleum fuel, he said this is a very sensitive issue and a big concern as the country is paying huge subsidy on petroleum.

"We are buying at US$ 100 per barrel, but selling at US$ 50. This is painful. But many things are related with the issue. This has a major impact on the economy. So, whenever any decision is made, it will be in a manner so that the poor are not affected," said Dr. Tamim.

Replying to a question on coal sector, he said any decision on coal sector should be taken nationally. "Because, we are now dependent on single energy sources, we need energy diversification for the sake of ensuring our energy security."