Economy
Nasrul Hamid announces Ilisha-1 as 29th gas field for the country
In a significant development, the Ilisha-1 gas field in Bhola district has been officially declared as the 29th gas field of Bangladesh.
The State Minister for Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources, Nasrul Hamid, made the announcement during a press briefing held at his residence in Dhaka on May 22, 2023. This newly discovered gas field is anticipated to hold an estimated reserve of 200 billion cubic feet (bcf) of gas, contributing to the overall reserve of 3 trillion cubic feet (tcf) in the Bhola region.
Expressing enthusiasm over the discovery, Minister Nasrul Hamid described it as excellent news for the nation. Located approximately 182 kilometers away from the capital city Dhaka, the Ilisha-1 gas field was excavated in the Maler Hat area of the Ilisha union under Bhola Sadar upazila. The drilling process, which commenced on March 8, concluded successfully on April 24 after reaching a depth of 3,475 meters through the Drill Stem Test conducted in three levels.
Minister Nasrul Hamid disclosed that gas had been previously found in various wells within the Bhola north and Bhola south structures. As part of a strategic plan, efforts are underway to construct a pipeline that would transport gas from the Bhola area to Dhaka, addressing the persistent gas shortages faced by numerous industries. Currently, a pre-feasibility study has been conducted, with a comprehensive feasibility study in progress. The Minister estimated that it would take approximately three years to complete the pipeline project.
To initiate the gas supply, a private company has already signed a contract to transport 25 million cubic feet per day (mmcfd) of gas from Bhola using large trailers, starting with an initial volume of 5 mmcfd. Additionally, the government aims to establish a pipeline network encompassing Bhola, Barishal, and Dhaka, as well as another network connecting districts in Dhaka, Sylhet, and other regions.
The commercial value of the gas reserves in Bhola is estimated at Tk 6500 crore in the local market and Tk 26000 crore when considering the value of imported gas. Minister Nasrul Hamid highlighted that the declaration of the Ilisha-1 gas field’s discovery followed meticulous drilling operations and related activities.
Presently, Bangladesh produces around 2300 mmcfd of gas from 22 existing gas fields, while an additional 700 mmcfd is imported to meet the demand of approximately 4000 mmcfd, leaving a deficit of approximately 1000 mmcfd. Despite this, two gas fields in Bhola possess a combined production capacity of around 200 mmcf, with the actual production ranging between 80-85 mmcf. Consequently, there remains an unused surplus capacity of approximately 120 mmcf across eight wells in the Shahbazpur and Bhola gas fields.
Due to the absence of adequate pipeline and transmission facilities, the surplus gas from the Bhola field has not been able to be supplied to energy-intensive industrial zones in Dhaka and other areas. The discovery of the Ilisha-1 gas field signifies a crucial step towards addressing the energy needs of the country and bolstering its industrial sector, heralding a promising future for Bangladesh’s energy landscape.
During the eleventh month of the current fiscal year, the country’s foreign currency reserves have fallen below $19 billion for the first time. After paying off some import bills, the reserves have now stood at $18.26 billion on Sunday.
According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), as of May 8, the total foreign currency reserves of the country were $19.82 billion.
Mohammad Mezbauul Haque, the spokesperson of Bangladesh Bank, informed that through the Asian Clearing Union (ACU), the central bank has paid off import bills totaling $1.63 billion over the past two months.
However, Bangladesh Bank maintains that after paying off the import bills, the foreign currency reserves now stand at $23.71 billion.
According to the Central Bank’s accounts, the reserves were $25.27 billion on May 8.
The Dhaka Stock Exchange (DSE) and the DSE Brokers Association (DBA) have expressed gratitude towards Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina for her directive to list government companies in the capital market, a move hailed as timely and positive.
The directive was issued during the recent meeting of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (Ecnec) last Thursday.
Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Hasan Babu, Chairman of DSE, described the directive as a significant step towards enhancing the dynamics of the capital market. He emphasized that besides invigorating the capital market, this move would also attract foreign investment and promote sustainable development.
Despite previous efforts, government institutions had not been listed in the stock exchange, according to a notification issued by the DSE. The Prime Minister’s directive is seen as a pivotal step towards revitalizing and expanding the economy.
Dr. Babu further remarked, “The listing of reputable companies in the capital market, as directed by the Prime Minister, will greatly benefit the country’s economy. It will also enhance investor confidence.”
Similarly, the DBA released a notification applauding the Prime Minister’s directive, terming it as positive and timely for the capital market.
Saiful Islam, President of DBA, expressed optimism about the directive’s potential to accelerate the country’s capital market and overall economy. He pledged support to relevant government departments and regulatory bodies in implementing the directive, ensuring its positive impact on the economy, including the capital market.
India has expressed interest in financing Bangladesh’s Teesta project, announced Foreign Minister Hasan Mahmud. Speaking to reporters after a meeting with Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Mohan Kwatra, Mahmud stressed the importance of aligning the project with Bangladesh’s needs. He confirmed discussions on the Teesta issue during the meeting. Mahmud also affirmed Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s upcoming visit to New Delhi, indicating that the finalization of the date would depend on the formation of the new Indian government following ongoing elections.
Meanwhile, the IMF has approved a $1.15 billion staff-level loan for Bangladesh in its third tranche. Mahmud noted the ongoing elections in India and the subsequent formation of the new government as factors influencing the scheduling of PM Hasina’s visit.
When asked about the sequence of visits to India and China, Mahmud suggested Delhi’s geographical proximity to Bangladesh. Diplomatic sources suggest PM Hasina’s visit to India is planned for early July, following India’s elections.
Pre-election surveys indicate strong prospects for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s re-election. Modi previously congratulated PM Hasina on her electoral victory in January, expressing optimism about strengthening ties between the two nations.
The last bilateral engagement between the prime ministers occurred during the G-20 Leaders Summit in September 2023. Modi is expected to invite South Asian and BIMSTEC leaders to his swearing-in ceremony, fostering regional cooperation.
Addressing border killings, Mahmud emphasized the government’s commitment to ending such incidents and promoting the use of non-lethal weapons by border forces. Discussions also covered enhancing physical and people-to-people connectivity, including cooperation with India to import hydropower from Nepal and Bhutan through India. Mahmud highlighted the need to further ease visa restrictions to strengthen people-to-people relations.
