To address Bangladesh’s ongoing energy supply challenges, Petrobangla has embarked on an ambitious program to enhance exploration and production from domestic sources, aiming to stabilize the demand-supply balance and strengthen national energy security.
Petrobangla has intensified its upstream exploration activities under an accelerated work plan, targeting the drilling and workover of 50 wells by FY 2025–26, and an additional 100 wells by FY 2026–28. These efforts mark one of the largest exploration drives in Bangladesh’s recent history.
As part of this expanded program, Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (BAPEX) achieved a significant milestone by discovering commercial gas in Block-8 through the Jamalpur-1 exploration well—the first-ever discovery in that block. To evaluate the reservoir potential and delineate its extension, BAPEX has planned two additional wells (one exploration and one development), with the Development Project Proposal (DPP) already in progress.
In another promising development, crude oil traces have been identified in the Haripur Structure during drilling of the Sylhet-10 well under Petrobangla. To assess the commercial recovery potential of this oil reservoir, drilling of Sylhet-12 oil well has been initiated.
To further evaluate the discovered gas reserves and the areal extension of existing gas fields in Bhola, the largest island in Bangladesh, Petrobangla plans to drill 19 additional wells. Gas extracted from Bhola will be supplied to the proposed Bhola Industrial Hub, expected to catalyze industrial growth, employment generation, and economic development in the country’s southern region.
To explore deeper gas prospects, drilling of four deep wells is currently underway — two in Titas and Bakhrabad fields under Bangladesh Gas Fields Company Limited (BGFCL), and two in Srikail and Mobarakpur structures under BAPEX.
In parallel, BAPEX, BGFCL, and Sylhet Gas Fields Limited (SGFL) are conducting seismic data acquisition, processing, and interpretation in their respective operational blocks to identify new leads and drillable prospects.
At present, eight drilling rigs — five from BAPEX and three operating under turnkey contracts — are engaged in simultaneous drilling operations across the country.
Starting November 27, 2025, drilling of the Titas-28 development well will commence under a turnkey contract, followed by the Titas-31 deep exploration well under BGFCL in January 2026.
Additionally, BAPEX is preparing to sign contracts with third-party contractors through open tender to drill five wells in the Bhola region. By early 2026, a total of 11 rigs (five from BAPEX and six under turnkey operations) are expected to be active concurrently across multiple drilling and workover projects.
To further enhance drilling efficiency, the procurement of two new BAPEX rigs is already in process.
Upon successful completion of these 11 wells, Bangladesh anticipates an increase of approximately 143 million cubic feet per day (MMCFD) of natural gas supply to the national grid. This expansion in domestic gas production will play a critical role in easing the country’s energy crisis, reducing dependence on imports, and strengthening the national economy through enhanced energy self-sufficiency.
