The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) has approved a Tk 592-crore project to drill two new wells at the Titas Gas Field, aiming to add 30 million cubic feet of gas a day to the national grid and reduce dependence on imported liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The project was among 13 development schemes approved at an ECNEC meeting chaired by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman at the Bangladesh Secretariat on Wednesday, with a combined estimated cost of Tk 58,088.92 crore.
Under the project, Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Ltd (BGFCL), a subsidiary of Petrobangla, will drill two evaluation-cum-development wells, Titas-32 and Titas-33, by September 2029.
Of the total project cost, the government will provide Tk 414.40 crore, while BGFCL will contribute Tk 177.60 crore from its own funds.
The move comes as Bangladesh seeks to reverse the decline in domestic gas production and ease pressure on foreign exchange reserves from rising LNG imports. The government has set a target of drilling 150 wells by 2031 and another 150 between 2031 and 2035 to boost local gas supplies.
According to the project proposal, the two wells are expected to produce around 100.74 billion cubic feet (BCF) of gas and 60,444 barrels of condensate over 10 years. The estimated value of the gas and condensate at consumer-level prices is Tk 6,523.97 crore.
The Titas Gas Field, the country’s largest, currently produces around 330 million cubic feet of gas a day through 23 of its 28 drilled wells. BGFCL supplies around 480-485mmcfd to the national grid from five of its six operational gas fields.
The proposed drilling follows a review of three-dimensional seismic survey data collected from the Titas and Bakhrabad gas fields between 2010 and 2012. BGFCL subsequently engaged BGP Inc of China National Petroleum Corporation to assess the data.
The consultant recommended drilling 16 infill wells and seven deep wells to enhance production. The government has prioritised Titas-32 and Titas-33 under its broader programme to drill 150 onshore gas wells.
The project will involve hiring a foreign drilling contractor, engaging local and international consultants, installing gas-gathering pipelines and undertaking associated infrastructure works.
The Infrastructure Investment Facilitation Company conducted the feasibility study in 2026. The Planning Commission said the project would help increase domestic gas supplies, support industrial development and save foreign exchange by reducing the need for LNG imports.
The project’s estimated cost was reduced by Tk 40 crore from the initial proposal of Tk 632 crore following a Project Evaluation Committee meeting on June 18, 2026, which recommended rationalising expenditure.
Planning and Development State Minister Md Zonayed Abdur Rahim Saki disclosed the ECNEC decisions while briefing reporters after the meeting.
Of the 13 projects, 11 are new and two are revised. The government will provide Tk 50,041.20 crore, while Tk 7,974.65 crore will come from project assistance and Tk 73.07 crore from the implementing organisations’ own funds.
The largest project is the Fifth Primary Education Development Programme (PEDP-5), estimated to cost Tk 41,090.48 crore.
The Local Government, Rural Development and Cooperatives Ministry secured approval for five projects, including a Tk 1,203.73-crore initiative to ensure safe water supply and sanitation in the Barind region.
The other schemes under the ministry include the re-excavation of canals in Barishal City Corporation, local economic development in selected municipalities at Tk 730.66 crore, the Innovation for Climate-Smart Urban Development Project at Tk 87.40 crore and the Social Infrastructure Development Project at Tk 2,565.59 crore.
ECNEC also approved the third revision of the Priority Basis Important Rural Infrastructure Development Project-03, involving an additional Tk 3,951.37 crore.
The Home Ministry received approval for two projects to procure specialised and operational vehicles to strengthen the capacity of Bangladesh Police.
Other approved schemes include the construction of Type-B residential accommodation for officers at Moinul Road in Dhaka Cantonment at Tk 177.19 crore and multi-storey residential buildings for government employees at Gabtala Colony in Jigatala at Tk 200.11 crore.
The Science and Technology Ministry will establish Institutes of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences at five medical college hospitals at a cost of Tk 535.54 crore.
The Disaster Management and Relief Ministry secured approval for an additional Tk 523.34 crore under the third revision of a project to construct bridges and culverts of up to 15 metres on rural roads.
Meanwhile, the meeting was informed about five development projects costing less than Tk 50 crore each that had already received approval from the Planning Minister.
These include the modernisation of cardiac treatment services at Zia Heart Foundation Hospital and Research Institute in Dinajpur, ensuring safe internet use among children and students, improving traffic infrastructure and road safety in Dhaka North City Corporation, expanding the Dhaka Central Drug Addiction Treatment Centre and procuring modern waste-management vehicles and equipment for Gazipur City Corporation.
Ministers, advisers and state ministers concerned attended the meeting, along with Planning Commission members and relevant secretaries.