Gazprom to drill five gas wells

FE Team | Published: April 21, 2011 00:00:00 | Updated: February 01, 2018 00:00:00

FE Report
Russia has agreed to help develop Bangladesh's ailing energy sector through all possible means, augment natural gas supply and ensure its transmission across the country. Russia's state-owned oil and gas company Gazprom has agreed to drill five gas wells in the existing gas fields in Bangladesh from October next. It has also decided to start installing two compression stations from September next. The decisions over Gazprom's drilling of gas wells and installation of compression stations were taken during a meeting attended by top officials of Gazprom, Bangladesh's energy ministry and Petrobangla in the secretariat Wednesday. A 12-member high-powered Gazprom delegation is now visiting Bangladesh aiming to tie up energy cooperation with state-owned Petrobangla. Valery Gulev, Director General of Gazprom EP International B.V, is leading the Gazprom delegation. Prime Minister's Energy Adviser Dr Tawfiq-e-Elahi Chowdhury, Energy Secretary Mohammad Mesbah Uddin, Petrobangla Chairman Dr Hussain Monsur were, among others, present the meeting from the Bangladesh side. The visit of Gazprom's top officials in Bangladesh is a follow up of the series of meetings held earlier among Gazprom, Petrobangla and government high ups over the bilateral cooperation on energy sector. Officials said during Wednesday's meeting Gazprom has also agreed to help Bangladesh undertake a strategic gas sector master plan for developing the country's energy sector. Gazprom has also decided to open an office in Dhaka and strengthen energy sector cooperation with Petrobangla. It will also help capacity building of Bangladeshi engineers offering scholarships and necessary training facilities. Petrobangla Chairman said Gazprom will start Bangladesh operation with the drilling of five gas wells, which the Polish oil and gas exploration company Poszukiwania Nastyi Gazu Krakow refused to drill despite being selected for the project work following a competitive bidding. Four of these wells are located at Titas gas field owned by Bangladesh Gas Fields Company (BGFC) and the remaining one at Rashidpur gas field of Sylhet Gas Fields Company (SGFC). Gas output of around 100 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) is expected from the five wells to be drilled by Gazprom. Russia has shown interest us providing soft loan to Bangladesh to carry out the works, or arrange suppliers' credit to implement the projects, said an official. The Gazprom delegation will also meet with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (Thursday) to discuss the energy sector issues.