Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today said the government is focusing on increasing domestic gas production, establishing new LNG terminals and intensifying exploration to protect industries from major losses caused by sudden or temporary gas shortages.
By 2030-31, the government plans to drill 150 wells, conduct 4,500 line kilometres of 2D seismic surveys and cover 4,200 square kilometres through 3D seismic surveys, the PM said in response to a starred question from ruling party MP Sultana Ahmed during his scheduled question-and-answer session at the parliament.
The session began at 3pm under the chairmanship of Speaker Hafiz Uddin Ahmad.
On May 24, an international bidding round was announced to appoint global firms for oil and gas exploration and extraction in 26 offshore blocks, Tarique said. The deadline for bid submission is November.
To attract foreign investment in onshore oil and gas exploration, the government has also initiated the formulation of the “Bangladesh Onshore Model PSC-2026”.
Currently, two floating LNG terminals supply an average of 935 million cubic feet of gas a day.
To protect industries from sudden shortages, work is underway to establish a new floating LNG terminal at Kutubjom in Moheshkhali and a land-based LNG terminal at Matarbari. Under the plan, regasified LNG from Kutubjom is expected to become available in 2028, while supply from Matarbari is expected by December 2030.
The government is also urgently assessing the feasibility of setting up another floating LNG terminal at Payra or Mongla port, or another suitable coastal location in the southwest. If implemented, the terminal would provide additional supply capacity to address sudden shortages.
The prime minister also highlighted plans to integrate Bhola’s gas into the national grid. He said connecting Bhola’s gas to the main network by pipeline would take at least seven years. The government is therefore planning to use the gas locally by establishing industries in the region.
Some gas-based industries are already being set up, which will create employment opportunities and expand the local economy, he said.
Plans are also underway to establish a fertiliser plant and a 500MW power plant in Bhola to ensure optimal use of its gas.
The government is examining the feasibility of supplying Bhola’s gas to the mainland in LNG form for interested industries, with priority given to those located in economic zones, EPZs and BSCIC industrial areas.
Tarique said the initiatives are aimed at increasing domestic gas supply, reducing dependence on imports and ensuring uninterrupted production in the industrial and export sectors.
A coordinated plan is also being implemented for exploration, production and infrastructure development to ensure long-term energy security.
