Drilling at Semutang gas field soon

Chief Adviser's Special Assistant for energy and power Dr M Tamim yesterday said drilling at the Semutang gas field in Khagrachhari would begin soon.
"Bapex (Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration & Production Co. Ltd.) has already been instructed to take initiatives to start drilling at the gas field," he said, adding that the work would begin after getting approval from the Executive Committee for National Economic Council (Ecnec).
Dr Tamim said this while speaking at a view exchange meeting with local administration and business community at the Chittagong Circuit House.
He also said the government is contemplating to increase the price of compressed natural gas (CNG) in line with the continued price hike of fuel in the international market.
Dr Tamim said the issue of gas import from Myanmar is still at the very initial stage.
He said the country presently reels under a shortage of around 100 million cubic feet (mcf) gas supply a day against the daily demand for 1835 mcf.
The government has no immediate solution to gas and power crisis, Dr Tamim said, adding that it has taken medium- and long-term plans to improve the situation.
He also said the government would not give permission to set up any new big industries such as fertiliser plant because of the gas crisis.
Deputy Commissioner Ashraf Shamim, Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industries (CCCI) President Saifuzzaman Chowdhury, BGMEA First Vice President MA Salam and senior officials of Power Development Board (PDB) and Bakharabad Gas System Limited (BGSL) also spoke.