The New Nation - Internet Edition

UNB, Dhaka

International oil company Chevron Sunday suspended its 3D seismic survey at Lawachhara national forest in Moulvibazar district following an incident of fire on Saturday. Chevron officials said the survey remained suspended until a full-fledged investigation is completed to identify the reason for the fire.

The Lawachhara forest is located within the Moulvibazar gas field area where the Chevron has launched a 3D seismic survey to further delineate the gas reserve.

According to Petrobangla officials, the fire broke out from an area of the forest adjacent to a rail-track that passed through the forest.

However, the fire damaged only a small area of the forest and there was no report of any injury to people or animal from the fire. Petrobangla Director (PSC) Major (retd) Muktadir Ali told UNB that they have sent a general manager of the organisation to visit the area and investigate into the incident of fire.

He said normally the seismic survey does not cause any fire as very small-scale explosives are used underground, not on the surface. "But after only the investigation by our official, we can reach a conclusion about the cause of the fire."

Local environmentalist groups blamed Chevron for the fire incident and demanded immediate suspension of the survey work. But Chevron refuted the allegation and said they were in no way involved in the fire incident.

In a press release, Chevron said on the afternoon of April 26 Chevron received reports of a fire in the Lawachhara Reserve Forest. There are no reports of injuries and the cause of the fire has not yet been determined.

Chevron received this report because Chevron and its contractors have been conducting three-dimensional seismic activity in the general area. To date, no evidence has been found that the fire is any way connected to Chevron's seismic activities.

According to local officials, a zone of approximately 10 by 20 meters appears to have been affected, which is less than a 10th of the size of a football field.

From initial reports, it appears that the fire had no major impact on the wildlife or the environment with superficial damage on the ground and limited impact on trees.

Chevron has initiated an investigation into the fire, and although there is no evidence that the fire was related to the seismic survey work, Chevron has suspended all of its seismic-related work in the forest pending the results of initial findings.

Chevron Bangladesh is employing the latest survey techniques, which are designed to leave no significant impact on the environment, the company release said.