Current energy crisis due to keeping Bapex virtually weak: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman has blamed the policy of the Awami League government period for the current energy crisis of the country. He said that during that time the government gas exploration and production organisation Bapex had been kept virtually weak. The current crisis has been created due to inadequate domestic gas exploration and increased import dependence.

The prime minister said these words in reply to the question of reserved women’s seat Member of Parliament Selina Sultana in the question-answer session on the third day of the third session of the 13th National Parliament on Wednesday (September 2). The session started at 3:30pm. Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmed presided over it.

Tarique Rahman said the government is moving forward with short, medium and long-term plans to tackle the energy crisis. The work of 10 wells for increasing domestic gas production and 30 wells under the workover programme has already been completed. About 450 million cubic feet of gas from these wells has been added to the national grid. Currently the work of drilling seven more wells is ongoing. When these are completed, about another 85 million cubic feet of gas will be available daily.

The prime minister informed that a plan for extensive seismic survey has also been taken to find new gas reserves in the country. Under this, two-dimensional seismic survey will be conducted in an area of 5,600 line kilometres and three-dimensional seismic survey in an area of 4,200 square kilometres. Alongside this, the process of purchasing two more new rigs is ongoing to increase the capacity of Bapex.

The prime minister also highlighted the intensification of gas exploration in offshore and onshore areas. He said the bid round has been invited after the approval of the offshore model PSC-2026. If new gas is found through exploration in the sea and land, the country’s energy security will become stronger further.

Besides, initiative has been taken to expand LNG infrastructure. Discussion is ongoing with interested organisations for setting up a floating LNG terminal at Kutubjom of Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar. The government hopes to supply regasified LNG from there by December 2028. Alongside this, there is a plan to increase LNG import by another 600 million cubic feet in the next two years. The feasibility of setting up more floating LNG terminals at Payra or Mongla port and the coastal areas of the south-western region is also being examined.