Flagship gas drilling programme misses production target

Bangladesh's flagship 150-Well Drilling Programme has delivered only about one-third of its targeted gas supply increase after four years, with declining production from ageing gas fields continuing to outpace new additions and forcing greater dependence on imported LNG.
The country has added only 126 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of natural gas through well drilling over the past four years under its ambitious well-drilling project.
However, overall natural gas production from local fields operated by state-run exploration and production companies has fallen by 140 mmcfd over the same period.
The output dropped to 709 mmcfd as of July 7, 2026, from 849 mmcfd on July 6, 2022, according to official data from Petrobangla.
The additional 126 mmcfd represents only around one-third of the target set under the project's Development Project Proposal (DPP).
Around 77 mmcfd of newly confirmed gas reserves in Bhola, Jamalpur, Jokiganj and Noakhali remain untapped because of inadequate transmission and distribution infrastructure.
The 150-Well Drilling Programme has so far reached a key milestone, with 29 wells (15 new wells and 14 workover operations) completed, while drilling or workover operations are continuing at another eight wells, according to a recent presentation submitted to the Energy and Mineral Resources Division (EMRD) under the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources (MPEMR).
The programme has so far identified gas reserves with a theoretical production potential of around 271 mmcfd.
However, actual gas supplied to the national grid stands at only 126 mmcfd, equivalent to just 35.6 per cent of the DPP target of 353 mmcfd, the  presentation showed.
The programme also remains well behind its broader target of adding a net 618 mmcfd of gas to the national grid, it added.
Officials attributed the production shortfall to geological uncertainties, complex reservoir conditions, water encroachment and constraints in evacuating gas from newly discovered fields.
A senior Petrobangla official said eight wells are currently undergoing drilling or workover operations, with an estimated additional production potential of around 90 mmcfd.
Looking ahead, 26 priority wells have been identified for immediate implementation, which could contribute an estimated 340 mmcfd if completed successfully, he said.
Bangladesh's total gas supply stood at about 2.67 billion cubic feet per day (Bcfd) on July 6, including around 1.04 Bcfd of re-gasified liquefied natural gas (LNG), according to Petrobangla data.
The country recorded its highest natural gas production at around 2,750 mmcfd during fiscal year 2017-18, including output from fields operated by international oil companies (IOCs).
Production has been on a declining trend since then.
As domestic gas production continues to fall, Bangladesh's dependence on imported LNG has increased steadily.
The purchase of LNG cargoes from the volatile spot market has also risen since February 28, when the US-Iran conflict began, the Petrobangla official said.
By July 2, Bangladesh had purchased 31 spot LNG cargoes to help avert supply shortages following disruptions to energy shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, he added.
The new BNP government has initiated measures to strengthen the institutional and operational capacity of the state-owned Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Ltd (BAPEX) to boost exploration and production.
These initiatives include procuring new drilling rigs, preparing a long-term business plan, developing skilled manpower and implementing strategic capacity-building programmes, the Petrobangla official said.
Energy expert Professor M Tamim said the programme's lower-than-expected outcome reflected insufficient technical knowledge and technology to accurately identify promising gas-bearing structures and maximise sustainable production.
Appointing an international reservoir management consultant is essential to properly assess the country's gas reserves and recommend the technologies needed to bring potential resources into the national gas grid, said Mr Tamim, who is also Vice-Chancellor of Independent University, Bangladesh (IUB).
Azizjst@yahoo.com