Staff Correspondent

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday outlined a five-point comprehensive government plan to tackle the country’s ongoing energy crisis by boosting domestic gas production, intensifying exploration, strengthening BAPEX, expanding LNG infrastructure and reducing dependence on imported gas.

Replying to a question from MP Selina Sultana (Women Seat-35) during the question-answer session in Parliament, Tarique said the energy sector was left “crippled” during the previous fascist rule, resulting in inadequate gas exploration and growing import dependence.

He said the government has adopted an integrated action plan to bring the country out of the existing energy crisis and build a self-reliant and sustainable energy system.

As part of efforts to increase domestic gas production, Tarique said 30 wells have already been drilled under a programme to drill or carry out workovers on 150 wells, adding 140 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of gas to the national grid.

“Once the seven wells currently under drilling are completed, another 85 mmcfd of gas will be added to the national grid,” he said, adding that projects are being taken up in phases to drill the remaining wells.

The Prime Minister said the government has also planned 4,500 line-kilometre of 2D seismic surveys and 4,200 square kilometres of 3D seismic surveys to explore domestic gas reserves.

He said the government is  also taking steps to strengthen Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (BAPEX) including the procurement of two new rigs.

On offshore and onshore exploration, Tarique said the Offshore Model Production Sharing Contract (PSC) 2026 has been approved and a bidding round invited, while the Onshore Model PSC was under the approval process.

“Gas discoveries through offshore and onshore exploration will play a significant role in ensuring the country’s energy security,” he said.

The Prime Minister said negotiations are underway with interested companies to establish a floating LNG terminal at Kutubjom in the deep sea off Maheshkhali in Cox’s Bazar.

“We hope to be able to supply regasified LNG from the terminal by December 2028. As a result, LNG imports are expected to increase by another 600 mmcfd within the next two years,” he said.

Tarique also said feasibility studies have also been initiated for setting up one or two additional floating LNG terminals on an urgent basis near Payra or Mongla ports or along the coastal areas of the southwestern region.

Tarique said the proposed terminals would help strengthen the country’s overall energy security.

PM rejects report on factory closures

Replying to a supplementary question from MP Norul Hasan (Mymensingh-6) about reports that 92 or even 200-300 factories had closed due to electricity and gas shortages, Tarique rejected the figures.

“Had you taken a little more information, you would have seen that those who used the reference you mentioned about 95 factories being closed apologised the following day and said their information was completely wrong,” he said.

He said the report apparently cited an old news report or data, possibly from 2022, and was later retracted with an apology.

The first 30 minutes of Wednesday’s parliamentary session were allocated for the Prime Minister’s question-answer session.