Know More About Natural Gas (NG)

What is natural gas?
Natural gas is an odorless, nontoxic, gaseous mixture of hydrocarbons—predominantly methane (CH4). Because it is a gas, it must be stored onboard a vehicle in either a compressed gaseous or lique-fied state. Compressed natural gas (CNG) is typically stored in a tank at a pressure of 3,000 to 3,600 pounds per square inch.

Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is super-cooled and stored in its liquid phase at -260°F in special insulated tanks. Natural gas is sold in units of gasoline or diesel gallon equivalents based on the energy content of a gallon of gasoline or diesel fuel.

How and where is natural gas produced and distributed?
Natural gas is drawn from wells or extracted in conjunction with crude oil production. Biomethane, a renewable form of natural gas, is produced from decaying organic materials, such as waste from landfills, wastewater, and livestock. In recent years, 80% to 90% of the natural gas used in the United States was produced domestically. The United States has a vast natural gas distribution system, which can quickly and economically distribute natural gas to and from almost any location in the lower 48 states.

How is natural gas used?
Natural gas accounts for about a quarter of the energy used in the United States. About one-third goes to residential and commercial uses, such as heating and cooking; one-third to industrial uses; and one-third to electric power production. Only about one-tenth of 1% is used for transportation fuel.

Is natural gas safe for use in vehicles?
Yes. NGVs meet the same safety standards as gasoline and diesel vehicles and also meet the National Fire Protection Association’s (NFPA) NFPA 52 Vehicular Fuel System Code. Natural gas has a narrow flammability range and, because it is lighter than air, dissipates quickly if released. NGV fuel tanks are strong and extremely puncture resistant.

What NGVs are available?
A wide variety of new, heavy-duty NGVs are available. The Honda Civic GX is the only light-duty NGV available from a U.S. original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Consumers and fleets also have the option of economically and reliably converting existing light- or heavy-duty gasoline or diesel vehicles for natural gas operation using certified installers.

How do NGVs work?
NGVs operate in one of three modes: dedicated, bifuel, or dual-fuel. Dedicated NGVs run on only natural gas. Bifuel NGVs can run on either natural gas or gasoline. Dual-fuel vehicles run on natural gas and use diesel for ignition assist. Light-duty vehicles typically operate in dedicated or bifuel modes, and heavy duty vehicles operate in dedicated or dual-fuel modes. A CNG fuel system transfers high-pressure natural gas from the storage tank to the engine while reducing the pressure of the gas to the operating pressure of the engine’s fuel-management system.

The natural gas is injected into the engine intake air the same way gasoline is injected into a gasoline-fueled engine. The engine functions the same way as a gasoline engine: The fuel-air mixture is compressed and ignited by a spark plug and the expanding gases produce rotational forces that propel the vehicle.

On the vehicle, natural gas is stored in tanks as CNG, or in some heavy-duty vehicles, as LNG, a more expensive option. The form chosen is often dependent on the range a driver needs. More natural gas can be stored in the tanks as LNG than as CNG.

How do NGVs perform?
Natural gas vehicles are similar to gasoline or diesel vehicles with regard to power, acceleration, and cruising speed. The driving range of NGVs is generally less than that of comparable gasoline and diesel vehicles because, with natural gas, less overall energy content can be stored in the same size tank as the more energy-dense gasoline or diesel fuels.

Extra natural gas storage tanks or the use of LNG can help increase range for larger vehicles. In heavy-duty vehicles, dual-fuel, compression-ignited engines are slightly more fuel-efficient than spark-ignited dedicated natural gas engines. However, a dual-fuel engine increases the complexity of the fuel-storage system by requiring storage of both types of fuel.

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Know More About Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG)

What is LNG?
Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) is methane in the form of a bubbling, super-cold liquid. (By contrast, Compressed Natural Gas is highly pressurized methane vapor.) Chilling natural gas to its liquid state shrinks its volume by a factor of 600 and allows for its transportation to places where pipelines do not run. LNG is the form that natural gas takes when it is exported overseas on tanker ships. To a lesser extent, LNG is used as vehicle fuel in, for example, long-haul trucks.

How is LNG made?
Through a cryogenic process called "liquefaction," methane is turned to liquid at - 259 degrees F. An LNG export terminal typically requires its own power plant to generate the immense energy so required to achieve this ultra-low temperature.

How are low temperatures maintained during storage and transport? 

Contained in Thermos bottle-like tanks, LNG stays cold through insulation, refrigeration, and evaporative cooling. As the liquid methane inside slowly warms up, some of it vaporizes. This gas is vented to maintain the remaining liquid at - 259 degrees F and to prevent explosions. That is, LNG tanks leak methane gas by design. Smaller tanks sweat methane directly into the atmosphere. Some larger tanks are engineered to capture the boiled-off gas and reuse it, but this not a leak-proof process.

What happens after LNG arrives at its destination?
Before it is used or sent down a pipeline, LNG must be re-vaporized in a re-gasification terminal. Re-gasification is also energy intensive, requires massive infrastructure, and includes periodic methane flaring to control pressure.
   
Is LNG safe? 
If LNG spills into water, it explodes. If LNG spills on the ground, it turns into rapidly expanding clouds of vaporizing methane that can asphyxiate by displacing oxygen and flash-freeze human flesh.1 If ignited at the source, these vapors become flaming "pool fires" that burn hotter than other fuels and cannot be extinguished? Drifting in the wind, an ignitable vapor cloud can threaten large populations. Highly volatile LNG cannot be odorized, so there is no warning of a leak. The ongoing prohibition on LNG facilities in New York State was the result of a deadly explosion in 1973 that blew apart an empty LNG tank in Staten Island and killed 40 people.

Is LNG climate friendly?
The Refrigeration, venting, leaks and flaring of gas makes LNG, 30% more energy intensive than conventional natural gas. The carbon footprint of LNG is at least as bad as coal and, when used as vehicle fuel, worse than diesel.
   
Do LNG facilities create toxic pollution?
LNG plants discharge wastewater laced with mercury and toxic hydrocarbons.' And before the gas is liquefied, it must be purged of freezable benzene. In New Brunswick in fall 2013, 7,500 migrating songbirds were killed in a single night while flying over an LNG facility that was flaring off gas" In San Diego, LNG vehicle fuel has contributed to smog.' In Australia, LNG plants are responsible for nitrogen dioxide emissions that exceed safe limits.'

How is LNG connected to frackine?
LNG facilities encourage fracking by creating storage for the glut of gas that fracking has created, by enabling its export, and by driving up prices and profit margins.' The gas industry views fracking and LNG as intimately related.'" LNG is fracked gas made liquid.

Is LNG a security threat? 
LNG tanks and ships are terrorist targets, with AI-Qaeda showing specific interest. In its 2008 report, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Infrastructure Security, the Congressional Research Service warned, "LNG infrastructure is inherently hazardous and potentially attractive to terrorists....Local officials...have challenged numerous LNG infrastructure proposals on the grounds that they may represent an unacceptable risk to the public." If an LNG tanker ship lost ten percent of its cargo and the resulting three million gallon spill of LNG ignited, the flaming vapor cloud created could extend for three miles—and burn human flesh a mile beyond that. LNG ships and terminals require security zones, gunboat escorts, and intense surveillance.

What are the alternatives? 
Erecting LNG export terminals, each one of which costs billions of dollars—will further entrench long-term, world-wide dependency on fossil fuels during a time of climate crisis. Instead, we should invest in infrastructure for renewable energy, which offers both energy independence and security. Mark Jacobson at Stanford University, with colleagues at Cornell, has provided us such a blueprint in the form of a plan to derive all of the nation's energy from wind, water, and sunlight while creating sustainable jobs and energy price stability.
   
   

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Exploration History of Natural Gas of Bangladesh

The exploration action of petroleum products is over 100 years old in Bangladesh. The first exploration activity started with some topographic maps of Chittagong Hill Tracts and some simplified surveys were done. The first exploration started from 1914 to 1933 by Burma Oil Company (BOC). The second of phase petroleum exploration began after partition of Indian subcontinent. Three international oil companies and the state owned oil company (OGDC) were active in different part of the country. During phase II, Shell Oil discovered the most successful drilling operation; Rashidpur, Kailashtila,  Titas,  Habigonj  and  Bakhrabad  gas fields were discovered. 

After the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, the petroleum exploration gathered pace. In this period, the first offshore gas field, Kutubdia was discovered. The country was first divided into 23 major blocks including offshore area. During 1995-2000, the  foreign companies Fig.2 drilled 10 exploratory wells and discovered 1 offshore gas field (Sangu in 1996 by Cairns Energy) and two onshore gas fields (Bibyana in 1997 and Moulovibazar in 1998). After some more successful drilling by Tullow Oil, Bangura gas field was discovered in 2004.

BAPEX, (Petrobangla exploratory subsidiary) drilled two wells and discovered two gas fields, i.e. Shahbazpur in 1995 and Saldanadi in 1996. BAPEX drilled one well in late 2004 and announced discovery of Srikail gas field in Comilla in January 2005. It is very interesting data that the national oil companies of Bangladesh have a discovery success rate over 80% Fig.3 compared to the multinational oil companies. Digital multi fold seismic data acquisition started in 1977, when Prakla was engaged under the German technical Assistance Program. In 1978 Petrobangla started acquiring multi fold analog seismic data, Fig.4 but in 1979 it moved into the digital domain. During 1986-87 Shell recorded over 1,500 km of multi fold data and these are available in BAPEX Data Center.

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Chevron in Bangladesh

Chevron is one of the largest foreign investors in Bangladesh, providing employment and supplying nearly 50 percent of the country's natural gas consumption.

The two-year startup of the Bibiyana Field demonstrated our ability to handle complex projects involving many technical, environmental and workforce challenges. To bring the field into production in 2007, Chevron recruited about 2,300 Bangladesh citizens to work on the project.

Chevron also produces natural gas from the Jalalabad and Moulavi Bazar fields.

Chevron supports Bangladesh's goal of maximizing the nation's energy potential by actively investing in projects that deliver more gas to Petrobangla, the national oil company. We have developed natural gas production in three fields: Jalalabad, Moulavi Bazar and Bibiyana. In 2011, total daily production averaged 915 million cubic feet of natural gas (434 million net) and 4,000 barrels of condensate (2,000 net). Condensate is liquid hydrocarbon produced with natural gas.

In 2011, the Muchai compression project reached mechanical completion. Startup is expected in the second quarter of 2012. The project supports additional production from the Bibiyana, Jalalabad and Moulavi Bazar natural gas fields.

Chevron operates the Jalalabad gas field in northeastern Bangladesh under a production-sharing contract with Petrobangla, to whom the processed natural gas is sold. Condensate from the field is used to make products such as gasoline and diesel fuel. Since its inception in 1999, Jalalabad has doubled its production to meet the growing energy demand in the country. The field is one of the most cost-effective sources of energy for Bangladesh and has been in production since 2001.

Chevron produces natural gas from the Moulavi Bazar Field in Block 14, in northeastern Bangladesh, under a production-sharing contract with Petrobangla. The field has operated since 2005.

The Bibiyana Expansion Project began front-end engineering and design work in July 2011. The project is expected to include a gas plant expansion, new development wells and an enhanced liquids recovery unit, with an estimated total maximum daily production of 57,000 barrels of oil-equivalent. A final investment decision is expected in mid-2012.

Discovered in 1998, the field is one of the most significant natural gas discoveries in Bangladesh, in both quality and size of the reserve. Chevron signed a gas purchase and sales agreement with Petrobangla in 2004. The original development program included a natural gas processing plant with a capacity of 600 million cubic feet per day and a natural gas pipeline to connect the field to the national natural gas transmission grid. Bibiyana began producing natural gas in 2007.

 In 2009, an independent reserve redetermination study conducted by petroleum industry consultants DeGolyer and McNaughton concluded that the field contains a much larger reserve than originally thought. In 2011, Chevron relinquished its interest in Block 7 following the completion of an unsuccessful exploratory well.

In areas where we operate, Chevron Bangladesh invests in activities and programs that focus primarily on education, health care, small business development and the environment. We also provide resources that help people gain the skills needed to improve their standard of living while preserving their culture.

Chevron carries out most of these projects in partnership with leading nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Our employees also play key roles in community development projects by regularly participating in projects. In 2011 alone, our health, education, business development and environmental stewardship initiatives affected the lives of approximately 30,000 families in Bangladesh.

Many of our social investments in Bangladesh focus on improving the quality of life and economic opportunities available to people in the communities where we work. In 2011, more than 3,000 families living in 62 villages near Chevron's Bibiyana, Moulavi Bazar and Jalalabad fields received training and resources to start new businesses through the Alternative Livelihood Program. The program is run by our NGO partners the Institute of Development Affairs, Prochesta and the Center for Natural Resource Studies (CNRS). Another CNRS program offers about 500 families in two villages near the Moulavi Bazar Field education and skills training in work such as animal rearing and home gardening, which could lead to higher income. Households and schools in two villages near the Moulavi Bazar Field received improved cooking stoves, solar photovoltaic panels and biogas plants (small facilities that produce energy from organic waste). In 2012, this project was expanded to 500 families in two villages near the Bibiyana natural gas field.

Working with the U.S. Agency for International Development and the Smiling Sun Franchise Program, we have helped create three Smiling Sun clinics. These facilities provide health care to an average of 6,000 villagers per month near the Bibiyana and Moulavi Bazar natural gas fields. Our partner, the Jalalabad Rotary Club, organizes free annual eye care clinics where patients receive checkups, free eyeglasses and cataract treatment. In 2011, about 1,200 people attended these free clinics.

Chevron is committed to improving the quality and availability of education for students in Bangladesh. In 2011, we provided additional teacher support at three schools and funded more than 1,000 scholarships for disadvantaged students. We also are helping to fund a five-year program that offers scholarships to students from across Asia and the Middle East who attend the Asian University for Women. And we worked with Save the Children to support a pre-primary program that served 440 students in 15 schools in the Bibiyana area. We also support programs to improve children's learning experiences. We helped establish computer learning centers in two schools near the Bibiyana and Moulavi Bazar Fields, contributing five desktop computers to each school. We also support an education endowment fund that helps pay for school uniforms, sports equipment and school furniture.

Chevron employees are active members of the community. In 2011, nearly 600 employees donated blood in Chevron's annual World Blood Donor Day. Also in 2011, Chevron employees helped plant nearly 21,000 saplings on roadsides and at schools and clinics near Chevron's Bibiyana, Jalalabad and Moulavi Bazar fields. And each year, our volunteers help Habitat for Humanity International build low-cost, durable homes for people in need.

During our time in Bangladesh, Chevron has worked to expand the country’s ability to produce energy and has done so in a responsible manner. Chevron has developed three natural gas fields in Bangladesh. The Jalalabad Field was discovered in 1989 and went into production in 1999. The Moulavi Bazar Field was discovered in 1999 and came on line in 2005. The largest producing field in Bangladesh, the Bibiyana Field, was discovered in 1998 and came on line in 2007.

Chevron works with our partners in the government of Bangladesh and with Petrobangla to develop the country’s energy resources in a safe, environmentally responsible manner. To protect the environment, Chevron uses the latest technologies, and strict inspection procedures ensure safe operations.

Chevron Bangladesh has earned 14 consecutive Zero Is Attainable awards from the company for its remarkable safety record. As of early 2012, our employees had achieved more than 30 million work hours without a single day away from work due to an injury. 

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Brief History about Gas Industries of Bangladesh

The search for oil and gas in the country began in the later part of the 19th century, through some isolated geological mapping. The first serious attempt to find oil and gas was undertaken in Sitakund in 1908 by the Indian Petroleum Prospecting Company. During 1923−1932 Burmah Oil Company drilled two shallow wells in Patharia. A total of six exploratory wells were drilled. There was, however, no discovery and the World War II disrupted further activity.

The promulgation of the Pakistan Petroleum Act in 1948 infused the interest of international oil companies (IOCs) in oil and gas exploration in what was then East Pakistan. The Standard Vacuum Oil Company of the US, Pakistan Petroleum Ltd., and Pakistan Shell Oil Company took up concessions during the early 1950s and carried out exploration till the end of the 1960s. The first gas discovery was made in Haripur in 1955 followed by Chhattack in 1959. Five gas fields, Titas, Habiganj, Rashidpur, Kailashtila, and Bakhrabad, which appeared as major producers in the country, were discovered during this period.

In 1961 the Oil and Gas Development Corporation was established in the national sector and the root of exploration for oil and gas was set up in the country. The company discovered the Semutang gas field. Between 1947 and 1971 a total of 28 exploratory wells were drilled and eight gas fields were discovered.

After the liberation of Bangladesh, exploration activities gathered momentum both by national and international companies. Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Corporation (Petrobangla) continued its exploration efforts while the Bangladesh Petroleum Act was enacted in 1974 to facilitate participation of IOCs under production sharing contract blocks (PSCs). Ashland, ARCO, BODC (Japex), Union Oil, Canadian Superior Oil and Ina Naftaplin, under PSCs, carried out gravity, magnetic and seismic surveys (about 32,000 km) and drilled seven wells. However, only Union Oil Company discovered an offshore gas field, Kutubdia, in 1977. This phase of PSCs ended with relinquishments by 1978.

The 1980s saw accelerated exploration activities by Petrobangla, which drilled 12 exploration wells and discovered seven gas fields in Begumganj, Beanibazar, Feni, Fenchuganj, Kamta, Marichakandi (Meghna), and Belabo (Narshingdi). Meanwhile, a new milestone was achieved when the company discovered the first commercial oil pool in Sylhet on 23 December 1986. From 1989, BAPEX has continued exploration and drilled three exploratory wells, discovering gas in Shahbazpur and Saldanadi.

In 1988 Scimitar Exploration was awarded what is now block 13 in the Burma basin. However, they failed to prove the extent of the oil find at Sylhet structure while on the other hand, discovered the Jalalabad gas field. In the early 1990s, eight blocks were awarded to four companies under PSCs. In total 11 exploration wells were drilled and three gas fields were discovered. Two gas fields, previously discovered Jalalabad and newly discovered offshore Sangu, were developed under PSCs and are currently in production.

Between 1972 and the present, a total of 42 exploratory wells have been drilled by the national and international companies, which resulted in the discovery of 16 gas fields. Since the drilling of the first exploration well in 1908 a total of 142 wells have been drilled in Bangladesh.

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About Bakhrabad gas field

Bakhrabad gas field is located at Muradnagar upazila in Comilla. Bakhrabad gas field was discovered by Pakistan Shell Oil Co. Ltd. in 1969. The total recoverable gas reserve of this field, re-estimated by Hydrocarbon Unit, is 1,387.00 billion cubic feet (BCF). Commercial gas production from this field was started in 1984 and till January 31, 2013 total 736.093 billion cubic feet or 53.07% percent of reserves has been recovered.

Total 8 (eight) wells have been drilled at 2 (two) nearby locations. Of these wells, only one well is vertical while remaining seven wells are of deviated type. After completion of all wells, maximum 210 million cubic feet of gas was produced daily from all wells of this field in 1992. In January 2013, average 30.97 million cubic feet of gas is produced daily from 5 producing wells of this field while production from other 3 wells remain suspended due to water loading in the production string. Produced gas is processed in 4 nos. Solid Desicant Silicagel type gas process plants and supplied to the transmission pipeline of Bakhrabad Gas System Ltd. (BGSL). Present condensate/gas ratio and water/gas ratio of this field are 0.449 and 28.21 bbl/million cubic feet respectively. Condensate produced at Bakhrabad & Meghna gas field of BGFCL and heavy condensate from Salda, Semutung & Fenchuganj gas field of BAPEX and Bangura gas field of TULLOW are fractionated into MS (Petrol) and HSD (Diesel) in the fractionation plant of this field. The products are being sold to Meghna Petroleum Ltd. & Padma Oil Company Ltd.

With a view to increase the sales line pressure of Bakhrabad gas field, M/S. Gas Services International(S) Pte Ltd., Singapore are operating & maintaining Gas Booster compressors at Bakhrabad gas field on rental basis under contract with BGFCL. Sales gas pressure has been increased by the installed Booster Compressors.

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About Narsingdi gas field

Narsingdi gas field is located at Shibpur upazila in Narsingdi district. This field was discovered by Petrobangla in 1990. Total recoverable gas reserve of this field, re-estimated by Hydrocarbon Unit, is 345 billion cubic feet (BCF).  Commercial gas production of this field was started in 1996 and till January 31, 2013 total 139.399 billion cubic feet or 40.41% percent of gas reserves has been recovered.

In January 2013, average 29.98 million cubic feet of gas is produced daily from 2(two) wells of the field processing through a glycol dehydration process plant and supplied to TGTDCL system. At present average condensate/gas ratio and water/gas ratio of this field are 2.01 and 0.998 bbl/million cubic feet respectively. Condensate produced as by product of gas of this field is refined to the fractionation plant of Titas gas field.

Titas gas field is located at Brahmanbaria district town. This field was discovered by Pakistan Shell Oil Company in 1962. The structure is an elongate north-south asymmetrical anticline measuring about 19x10 square km with a vertical closure of 500m. As per latest official re-estimation, total recoverable gas reserve of Titas gas field is 7,582 billion cubic feet (BCF).  Commercial gas production from this field was commenced in 1968  and till    January 31, 2013 total 3551.549 billion cubic feet gas or 46.84%  of reserves has been recovered.

Out of total 17 (seventeen) nos. gas wells drilled so far in this field 8 (eight) are vertical wells and the remaining 9 (nine) are deviated wells. The wells are spread (surface location) at 7 (seven) different locations stretched over about 11 km distance. In January 2013, average 452.21 million cubic feet of gas is produced daily from 15 wells of this field and processed through 5 nos. glycol dehydration and 6 nos. Low Temperature Separation (LTS) type process plants and  supplied to the transmission pipelines of Titas Gas Transmission & Distribution Co. Ltd. (TGTDCL) and Gas Transmission Company Ltd. (GTCL). About 386 bbl condensate is produced daily with gas as by-product. Present average condensate/gas ratio of this field is 0.852 bbl/million cubic feet and water/gas ratio is 1.06 bbl/million cubic feet (excluding well no Titas 12). Titas well no.3 was Plugged & Abandoned by snubbing operation on 21.1.2008 to prevent gas seepage from nearby locality.

Condensate produced from Titas gas field (about 386 bbl per day), Narsingdi gas field (about 61 bbl per day) & Habiganj gas field (about 12 bbl per day) of BGFCL and about 220 bbl heavy condensate from Beanibazar gas field of SGFL are fractionated into MS (Petrol) and HSD (Diesel) through two fractionation plants at this field having plant capacity of 400 bbl each. The products are being sold to Padma Oil Company Ltd. 

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Kamta gas field

Kamta gas field is located at Kaliganj upazila in Gazipur district. Kamta gas field was discovered by Petrobangla in 1982. Total recoverable gas reserve of this field is 50 billion cubic feet (BCF). Commercial gas production from this field was started in 1984. Average 20 million cubic feet of gas was produced daily since inception while it was reduced to 3 million cubic feet daily in 1988 due to excessive water production and for the same reason gas production was suspended from this field in 1991. Total gas production from this field till 26th August, 1991 was 21.10 billion cubic feet.

Upon the result of on-going 2-D seismic survey over Kamta gas field necessary steps to enhance gas production substantially and maintain uninterrupted supply of natural gas will be taken later.

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Exploration History of Bangladesh in petroleum/ Gas Sector

Bangladesh has been blessed with a heaven of natural resources among which natural gas has been proved to be a potential endowment for which it has already been identified to be the hub of energy in the South Asian region.  Bangladesh adopted a number of policies since the beginning of 1990s to facilitate the expansion of the private sector and increase the inflow of foreign investments in the energy sector. Due to the growing interests of the Multinational

Corporations (MNCs) in the energy sector of Bangladesh, there had been a tremendous optimism over Bangladesh's economic future. Bangladesh looked set to emerge as “South Asia's next success story." 

The exploration activity of petroleum products is over 100 years old in Bangladesh first exploration activity started with some topographic maps of Chittagong Hill Tracts and some simplified surveys were done. The first exploration started from 1914 to 1933 by Burma Oil Company (BOC). The second of phase petroleum exploration began after partition of Indian subcontinent.

Three international oil companies and the state owned oil company (OGDC) were active in different part of the country. During phase II, Shell Oil discovered the most successful  drilling  operation;  Rashidpur,  Kailashtila,  Titas,  Habigonj  and  Bakhrabad  gas fields were discovered. 

After the independence of Bangladesh in 1971, the petroleum exploration gathered pace. In this period, the first offshore gas field, Kutubdia was discovered. The country was first divided  into  23  major  blocks  including  offshore  area.  During  1995-2000,  the  foreign companies Fig.2 drilled 10 exploratory wells and discovered 1 offshore gas field (Sangu in 1996 by Cairns Energy) and two onshore gas fields (Bibyana in 1997 and Moulovibazar in 1998). After some more successful drilling by Tullow Oil, Bangura gas field was discovered  in 2004. BAPEX, (Petrobangla exploratory subsidiary) drilled two wells and discovered two gas fields, i.e. Shahbazpur in 1995 and Saldanadi in 1996. BAPEX drilled one well in late 2004 and announced discovery of Srikail gas field in Comilla in January 2005. It is very interesting data that the national oil companies of Bangladesh have a discovery success rate over 80% Fig.3 compared to the multinational oil companies. Digital multi fold seismic data acquisition started in 1977, when Prakla was engaged under the German technical Assistance Program. In 1978 Petrobangla started acquiring multi fold analog seismic data, Fig.4 but in 1979 it moved into the digital domain. During 1986-87 Shell recorded over 1,500 km of multi fold data and these are available in BAPEX Data Center. 

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