State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid has said that nine more wells will be drilled in Bhola as part of the government’s plan to expedite the drive for local gas production.

He made the remarks while visiting Shahbazpur gas field in Bhola on Thursday. He told reporters that so far nine wells were drilled in the southern district of Bhola and after completion of the planned drilling of nine more wells, the total number of gas wells will go up to 18.

He said the government wants to ensure highest utilisation of local gas to meet the domestic demands.

The state minister also visited the 220 MW and 225 MW combined cycle power plants at Borhanuddin island.

He said the Petrobangla officials were directed to conduct 2D and 3D seismic surveys in the entire Bhola including its river and adjoining areas.

He said that gas fields in Bhola need one more process plant to supply the gas through pipeline to Patuakhali and other areas. “This will take about 3 years” he said, adding that gas from Bhola will be supplied to household consumers alongside the industries.

He said a feasibility study was conducted to construct the pipeline from Bhola to other areas.

He said there is a plan to supply the gas from Bhola to its other municipal areas as well so that more industries could be set up utilising this gas.

Nasrul Hamid mentioned that the government had drilled some 46 wells across the country from which 612 million cubic feet of gas is now being produced and supplied to the national grid.

Of this, some 112 mmcfd gas was supplied to the national gas network alone in 2023.

He said currently 5 mmcfd gas is being transported to Dhaka through CNG form and the amount will be improved to 25 mmcfd soon.

Energy and Mineral Resources Secretary Md. Nurul Alam was present during the visit.