To address the ongoing energy crisis and ensure a stable balance between demand and supply, Petrobangla is determined to enhance gas production from domestic sources, says a press release.
As part of this commitment, the company has intensified exploration and drilling operations across different blocks, with plans to drill and work over 50 wells between fiscal year 2025–26 and an additional 100 wells between 2026–28.
In a major breakthrough, Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (BAPEX) has discovered commercially viable gas in Block-8 through the drilling of the Jamalpur-1 exploration well — the first such discovery in that block. To further assess the reserve size and extent of the gas in the Jamalpur structure, plans have been taken to drill two more wells (one development and one exploration). Preparation of the corresponding Development Project Proposal (DPP) is currently underway.
Meanwhile, during the drilling of the Sylhet-10 well at the Haripur Gas Field under Sylhet Gas Fields Limited (SGFL), evidence of crude oil presence was found in the area. To confirm the commercial viability of the oil reserves in the Haripur structure, drilling of the Sylhet-12 oil well is now in progress.
In Bhola — the country’s largest island — activities are ongoing to drill 19 new wells to assess the reserves and distribution of gas in the region. The extracted gas from Bhola will be supplied to the planned industrial hub in the area, expected to play a transformative role in generating employment and boosting the economy of Bangladesh’s southern region.
Additionally, to evaluate the potential of deeper gas reserves in existing geological structures, drilling of four deep wells is underway: two under Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Limited (BGFCL) in the Titas and Bakhrabad gas fields, and two under BAPEX in the Srikail and Mobarakpur structures. Alongside, BAPEX, BGFCL, and SGFL are conducting seismic data acquisition and analysis in their respective blocks to identify new leads, prospects, and potential drilling sites.
At present, drilling and workover operations are being carried out using eight rigs — five owned by BAPEX and three operated by turnkey contractors. From November 27, 2025, drilling of the Titas-28 development well will commence using one of the contractor’s rigs. Petrobangla is also working tirelessly to begin drilling of the Titas-31 deep exploration well by January 2026 under another turnkey rig arrangement with BGFCL.
A contract between BAPEX and a turnkey contractor for drilling five wells in the Bhola region is expected to be signed soon, which will add another rig to the operations. By January 2026, a total of 11 rigs — five owned by BAPEX and six from turnkey contractors — are expected to be operational simultaneously, carrying out drilling and workover activities across the country.
To further accelerate exploration, BAPEX is also in the process of procuring two additional rigs, complementing its existing five.
Upon successful completion of the ongoing drilling of 11 wells, an estimated 143 million cubic feet of gas per day (mmcfd) is expected to be added to the national supply. This increase in domestic production will help reduce the prevailing gas shortage and play a significant role in strengthening the country’s economy.