http://www.thedailystar.net/newDesign/news-details.php?nid=123075
Bapex set for maiden 3D survey
Sharier Khan
Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration Company (Bapex) is set to start for the first time three dimensional surveys in large national gas fields within a couple of months, completion of which will give a new understanding of the fields.
A top Bapex official said through this survey they expect to find an increase in recoverable gas reserve from Rashidpur and Titas fields by 3 to 4 trillion cubic feet (tcf). Of this, recoverable reserve of Titas may go up by 2 to 3 tcf.
If the survey ups the recoverable gas reserves, wells with bigger casings may be constructed to increase gas production from these fields. If everything works well that could take a couple of years.
It is generally perceived that the gas fields of Kailastila, Bianibazar and Bakhrabad have become smaller. But the gas fields of Rashidpur and Habiganj are big.
The official said the company had procured necessary equipment to conduct the 3-D survey in Bakhrabad, Titas, Rashidpur, Kailastila and Sylhet gas fields under a loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
The Bapex would start the work as soon as the ADB gives it the clearance of its plans and designs for the survey. It is waiting for the clearance from December 16.
“Initially we thought we would begin the survey in the Bakhrabad gas field, which has depleted seriously. This plan was considered initially because we have no prior experience with three dimensional technology,” he said.
“This was abandoned because we all agreed that the gas reserve of the Bakhrabad field would not increase. So we want to do something that has encouraging results,” he added.
Bapex would now start with surveying 325 square kilometres of the Rashidpur gas field. This would take three to four months as it is the first such venture of Bapex.
It would be followed by studying in Titas field. But as this field has developed some leakage in recent years, Bapex would have to take advice from a consultant whether they would be able to conduct a 3-d survey there.
“Chevron can produce more gas from Bibiyana because they have a picture of that field. We don’t have such pictures. In the past we kicked off gas production in the Bakhrabad field without having any clear idea about the field size or health. The field initially produced 220 mmcfd gas. Now it came down to 35 mmcfd. And the field is surely not that old. This is a good example why we need to have updated information about the fields to keep reliable production,” he observed.
