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SANGSAD BHABAN, July 8, 2026 (BSS) - The government is currently producing around 1,630 million cubic feet of natural gas per day (MMCFD) from 20 producing gas fields and has undertaken a series of exploration, drilling and offshore initiatives to substantially increase domestic gas production, Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Iqbal Hassan Mahmood told parliament today.

Replying to a written question from treasury bench member Selina Sultana (Women’s Seat-35), the minister said that although 30 gas fields have so far been discovered in the country, 20 are now in production.

He said the producing gas fields are Titas, Habiganj, Bakhrabad, Narsingdi, Meghna, Sylhet, Kailashtila, Rashidpur, Beanibazar, Salda, Sundalpur, Srikail, Shahbazpur, Fenchuganj, Begumganj, Semutang, Bibiyana, Moulvibazar, Jalalabad and Bangura.

Highlighting the government’s initiatives to increase gas production, Mahmood said, “In line with the commitment made in the election manifesto, the present government has undertaken a number of initiatives to increase oil and gas exploration and production both onshore and offshore.”

He said the government has adopted a plan to drill and carry out workover operations on 150 wells by 2031. Of these, 29 wells have already been drilled or undergone workover operations, while work is currently underway on eight more wells. “Preparatory activities, including approval of development projects and other necessary processes, are continuing for the remaining wells,” he said.

The minister said extensive seismic surveys are also being carried out to identify new drilling prospects. Around 4,500 line kilometres of 2D seismic data have been acquired in Blocks 7 and 9, with data processing now underway.

He said 3D seismic surveys will soon begin over 1,450 square kilometres adjacent to the Habiganj, Bakhrabad and Meghna gas fields. Similar surveys have also been planned in Char Fashion of Bhola, Chatak-Dowarabazar, Jamalpur, areas adjacent to the Titas, Habiganj and Narsingdi gas fields, and structures around Lamigaon, Lalabazar, Gowainghat, South Kailashtila and West Fenchuganj.

The minister said plans have also been taken to conduct 255 line kilometres of 2D seismic surveys in Block-12 and 1,500 line kilometres in the Hinge Zone and Foredeep area.

On offshore exploration, Mahmood said the government published the “Bangladesh Offshore Bidding Round 2026” notice on May 24, 2026, inviting international companies to explore for oil and gas in 26 offshore blocks, including 15 deep-sea and 11 shallow-water blocks. The deadline for bid submission has been fixed until November 2026.

He added that preliminary work is also underway to invite an international onshore bidding round for selected areas to accelerate oil and gas exploration on land.

To strengthen the state-owned exploration company BAPEX, the minister said procurement is in progress for two additional drilling rigs—one with 2,000 horsepower and another with 1,500 horsepower—to complement its existing five rigs.

Referring to the achievements already made, the minister said, “Under the 150-well drilling and workover programme, 29 wells have already been completed, ensuring gas reserves of 270.8 million cubic feet per day, while an initial 139.6 million cubic feet per day has been added to the national gas grid.”

He said the completion of 4,500 line kilometres of 2D seismic surveys by BAPEX in Blocks 7 and 9 would help identify new drilling locations after data analysis.

The minister further said the tender evaluation process for procuring the 2,000-horsepower drilling rig is now in progress. “If the planned two additional rigs are procured, BAPEX will have seven rigs, enabling the drilling of more wells in a shorter time and thereby increasing domestic gas production,” he added.