Bangladesh is boosting its gas exploration efforts with the purchase of new rigs for onshore drilling. The move is aimed at speeding up the country’s energy production.
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| To increase its energy output, Bangladesh plans to purchase new rigs to speed up gas well drilling. However, experts caution about the need for proper manpower. Image: CH |
DHAKA, Bangladesh — May 14, 2025:
In a bid to ramp up its onshore gas exploration efforts, Bangladesh is moving forward with plans to purchase new drilling rigs. The interim government has submitted a Development Project Proposal (DPP) to the Ministry of Power, Energy, and Mineral Resources for approval. Once cleared by the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), the Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Ltd. (Bapex) will initiate a tender process to acquire the necessary equipment.
A responsible source from the Bangladesh Oil, Gas, and Mineral Resources Corporation (Petrobangla) confirmed that the first rig is expected to be purchased soon, with feasibility studies already underway for the procurement of two more. However, experts have raised concerns about the availability of skilled manpower, warning that without the proper workforce, these new rigs could become a burden rather than a resource. They emphasize that both equipment and manpower are critical for effective gas exploration and extraction.
Currently, Bangladesh has five active rigs, one of which is outdated, purchased back in 1987. These rigs range from 1,000 to 2,000 horsepower and are primarily used for drilling and workover operations. Petrobangla’s Director Md. Shoaib explained that the new rigs will consist of one workover rig and two drilling rigs, all intended for onshore use. As part of the government's ongoing energy strategy, a total of 50 new wells are planned, with drilling operations managed by Bapex, Sylhet Gas Field, and Bangladesh Gas Field Company Ltd. (BGFCL).
Shoaib also noted that the drilling contracts are being awarded through a tendering process under special legislation, ensuring competitive pricing for the projects. The government's commitment to strengthening Bangladesh's energy sector has been ongoing since the Awami League administration’s purchase of rigs in late 2018. The new rigs will not only increase the number of drilled wells but also enhance overall gas production capacity, an essential step for Bangladesh's energy future.
Energy Advisor Muhammad Fauzul Kabir Khan highlighted the potential benefits, stating that successful drilling of the 50 new wells could bring an additional 500 MMCFD (million cubic feet per day) of gas to the national grid. He also emphasized that new seismic surveys and drilling activities are being conducted in Bhola, and that the rigs being acquired are necessary to reach deeper reserves. "Our current rigs cannot drill to the required depths, which is why we are focusing on buying deeper rigs,” Khan explained.
However, Energy Expert Dr. Ijaz Hossain pointed out a major challenge: the lack of trained manpower to operate these rigs. “While the purchase of rigs is a positive step, without the right personnel to manage them, these rigs may become a costly liability," he warned. Dr. Hossain suggested that one potential solution could involve establishing a separate company focused on rig management, potentially renting rigs along with foreign crews to ensure efficient operations.
With the acquisition of new rigs, Bangladesh is taking a significant step to boost its energy production. However, the long-term success of these efforts will depend not only on the equipment but also on building a skilled workforce to support the operations.