Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited-Bapex has hit a new gas reservoir in Kailash Tila field, the main source for Sylhet Gas Fields Ltd.
The yield of Kailash Tila was on average 69 million cubic feet per day in 2016, but it dropped to 29 million cubic feet in January this year.
In the old Kailastila field, Bapex found a good new gas reserve during workover of the well that also has condensate -- a petroleum-like product. Within a few days, this field is expected to produce around 15 to 17 mmcft gas and around 160 barrels of condensate per day.
“Although not too much in terms of the amount, it is to the relief of Bangladesh, which is suffering an acute gas crisis. On the other hand, if gas is found in a new field, it is a matter of time given to the pipeline. However, there are pipelines, process plants with other facilities in Kailas tila. As a result, there is no additional work in supplying gas to the national grid,” energy division official said.
An official of Bapex said “Currently the gas is being produced experimentally. It will take a few days to complete the testing. Then hopefully, it will be possible to supply this gas to the national grid after Eid.”
Moreover, new gas has been found in an abandoned well at ‘Saldanadi gas field’ in Brahmanbaria district recently. It was discovered during workover of the well. Officials expect around 4 to 5 million cubic feet of gas to be produced from the well per day. Currently, gas is being extracted daily from the well on an experimental basis at pressure of 500 PSI.
Bangladesh is passing through a very crucial time due to the gas crisis. After the CNG filling station, gas supply to the industry has been cut off for 4 hours daily from April 12. On the other hand, the price of gas in the international market is increasing. Moreover, the gas transmission and distribution companies have applied to Bangladesh Energy Regulatory Commission (BERC) to increase the price of gas by 116 percent.
Consumers in different areas of Dhaka experienced shortages or low gas pressure from the first day of Ramadan for a week.
Kailashtila Field was discovered by Pakistan Shell Oil Company (PSOC) in 1961. A gas well (Kailashtila-1) was completed in June 1983 with the initial production of 30 MMCFD. Later, three more wells namely KTL-2 (1988), KTL-3 (1988) & KTL-4 (19996) were drilled in this field. Gas of Kailashtila has a very high condensate ratio in comparison to Haripur Gas Field. The well KTL-5 added to the field with a production capacity of 15 MMSCF per day with a condensate ratio 40 bbl/MMCF. Another well KTL-6 started producing from 8th August 2007.
Production of KTL-5 ceased on 22 October 2009 due to excessive water production and reduction of well head pressure. The well, KTL-7 added to the field with a production capacity of 6 MMSCFD. The production ceased from KTL-7 on 01-11-2016 due to reduction of well head pressure.
A 30 MMSCFD capacity solid desiccant (silica gel) plant started operation in 1983 at the location of KTL-1. Presently gas production from wells KTL-1 and KTL-5 is being processed through this silica gel plant.