By Syed Shukur Ali Shuvo

SYLHET, Feb 17, 2024 (BSS) - State Minister for Power, Energy and Mineral Resources Nasrul Hamid today said test is underway to extract oil from Sylhet gas well-10, as the government is optimistic about commercial production of oil from the wells.

“We will get result of the test of oil within two months. Pressure inside and the entrance of the oil mine is very good. We are optimistic because oil is being obtained from such a pressure,” he said this while visiting Sylhet gas field well-10 area at Jaintapur here.

Considering high gas pressure, the energy and mineral resources division will dig two more wells, which will also increase production capacity of gas, Nasrul Hamid said.

Earlier, he visited Kailashtila-8 excavation project, Jalalabad Gas Transmission and Distribution System Limited (JGTDSL) head offices and inaugurated data centre and data recovery centre of prepaid metre project and Bangabandhu Corner.

The state minister is staying in Sylhet region on a three-day official visit to inspect some gas fields and projects, inaugurate a model petrol pump and gas supply in the pipelines.

He said, “We have supplied electricity to island (Char) through submarine cable.

 Now the momentum has been transmitted to the rural economy. Fuel must be ensured to keep the economy boosting. Sylhet Gas Field Company is doing well and they deserve award for that.”

Managing Director of Sylhet Gas Field Company Mizanur Rahman said, “Well number-10 in Sylhet is very lucky, as gas pressure is 6000 pounds per square inch (PSI) was found here. During the test, the pressure was found 3200 PSI.

 Many wells experience pressure drop during the withdrawal, but Sylhet-10 is an exception.”

The presence of oil was known during the test on the 10th well of the Sylhet gas field on December 8. Three gas layers as well as oil have been confirmed in the well.

 Oil location was identified in 1397-1445 m depth and 70 barrels of oil was lifted in two hours on the first day, he added.

Once the test is completed, the oil reserve can be confirmed. Reserve is initially estimated at 8 to 10 million barrels, but BAPEX estimates say 15 to 18 million.

“The extracted oil has sent to three labs including BUET, Eastern Refinery for testing. Once the results are available, more details will be available. 500 to 600 barrels of oil per day are expected.

 Testing is going on and it will take another four to five months to be fully confirmed,” the managing director said.
 
The state minister said that gas reserve can be 43.6 to 106 billion cubic feet and the average value of which is worth of Tk. 8500 crores.

Sylhet Gas Field Company is currently producing 115.2 million cubic feet of gas per day.
Several projects including Kailashtila 8, Sylhet 10 and Sylhet-10X, and Sylhet-11 are underway.

 The company expects to be able to extract 250 to 280 million cubic feet of gas per day if the ongoing operations are completed by 2025.