Chinese firm to drill high-pressure gas wells for Titas, Bakhrabad

Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Limited (BGFCL) has signed an agreement with China’s CNPC Chuanqing Drilling Engineering Company Limited (CCDC) to drill two deep exploration gas wells in the Titas and Bakhrabad fields.

The contract was signed Thursday morning at 10:00am at the boardroom of the Bangladesh Oil, Gas and Mineral Resources Corporation (Petrobangla), marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to address its growing energy deficit.

On behalf of BGFCL, the agreement was signed by company secretary Md Mozahar Ali, while CCDC was represented by its Chief Executive Officer, Li Xiaoming. 

Petrobangla Chairman Md Rezanur Rahman attended the ceremony as the chief guest. The event was also attended by representatives from CCDC, directors of Petrobangla, project directors, and managing directors of BGFCL and BAPEX, along with other senior energy officials.

The project involves drilling two ultra-deep exploration wells: Titas-31 Deep (5,600 metres) and Bakhrabad-11 Deep (4,300 metres). 

These wells aim to explore gas reserves in previously untapped, high-pressure geological zones beneath the Titas and Bakhrabad gas fields, critical steps toward unlocking new domestic energy sources.

With an estimated total project cost of Tk 798 crore, the initiative is being funded through a combination of a GoB loan (Tk 558.60 crore) and BGFCL’s own equity (Tk 239.40 crore. 

The project is scheduled for implementation from July 2025 to December 2027.

The decision to drill these wells follows a comprehensive analysis of 3D seismic survey data collected by BAPEX during 2011–2012, later re-evaluated by the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) in 2019–2020. 

Based on the Geotechnical Order (GTO), drilling will target four prospective layers within the Bhuban and Borail formations beneath the unexplored overpressure zone in Titas, and two similar layers in Bakhrabad.

These wells are expected to confirm the presence, distribution, and volume of natural gas at depths between 3,700 and 5,600 metres, potentially leading to significant additions to Bangladesh’s proven gas reserves.

CCDC was selected through a transparent international open tender process and will carry out the drilling operations at a total contract value of $4,95,20,849 (approximately Tk 594.25 crore), inclusive of income tax and VAT payable in foreign currency.

Notably, these will be Bangladesh’s first High-Pressure High-Temperature (HPHT) wells, with anticipated reservoir pressures reaching 15,000 psi and temperatures around 390°F (199°C) – conditions never before tackled in the country’s oil and gas sector.

Petrobangla officials emphasised that the successful completion of these wells could open a new chapter in Bangladesh’s energy landscape, significantly boosting domestic gas production and reducing reliance on imports.

Upon completion and testing, the Titas-31 Deep well is projected to deliver approximately 15 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of gas, while the Bakhrabad-11 Deep well is expected to contribute around 10 mmcfd to the national grid, providing much-needed relief to the country’s energy-starved industries and power sector.

The project underscores Bangladesh’s strategic push to enhance indigenous energy production and ensure long-term energy security through advanced exploration technologies and international collaboration.